243.2 Seira and the Dragons of Astral

[Corwin]

[21:39] <Kokokokokoko> ----
[21:39] <Kokokokokoko> Okay, prep up spells first. Are you going to visit Neve alone or...?
03[21:39] * Kokokokokoko is now known as Kotono
03[21:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Kotono
01[21:43] <Seira> Okay. I want to take Abby along, and my spells would be greater teleport+limited wish for lvl7, superior resistance +2 blank slots for lvl6, and as posted for lvl0-5.
[21:44] <Kotono> Okay.
01[21:44] <Seira> If the elven rod wasn't returned by Abby yet, we'll return it as we go
[21:44] <Kotono> Okay.
01[21:44] <Seira> I mean, I asked her to, but she might not have had the time. Anyway, that's about it.
[21:44] <Kotono> Are you using regular or greater TPs over there?
01[21:45] <Seira> Greater TP to get there, we'll see re: return
03[21:48] * Laggy (~Laggy@64-71-1-82.static.wiline.com) has left #evildunes
[21:48] <Kotono> Where are you TPing to?
01[21:49] <Seira> The entrance
01[21:50] <Seira> With heroism precast
[21:50] <Kotono> Wooosh! The air is thin and the cold bitter as the two appear at the entrance to the silver dragon's lair. Abagail grimaces, "The cold is still damnable here," she shivers, rubbing her arms.
01[21:52] <Seira> "I doubt we'll be staying long enough that it's an issue," Seira tells her, before raising her voice. "Neve! There's something I need to speak to you about."
[21:52] <Kotono> No immediate reply.
01[21:53] <Seira> She might not be there, but on the off chance she's somewhere, hiding, Seira decides to see whether Neve's unique fur coat is anywhere within her range of detection.
[21:54] <Kotono> OOC: How far is your range?
01[21:55] <Seira> OOC: 1160ft
[21:57] <Kotono> Neve is above and outsider, Seira can detect.
[21:57] <Kotono> *outside
01[21:59] <Seira> "I'll take us there?" Seira offers, deciding to fly up to Neve rather than attempt a short-range teleport that might not go over too well.
01[21:59] <Seira> *take us to her
[22:01] <Kotono> As you take a shivering Abagail up, Seira ascends! In a little rocky crevice in the mountain above, you find Neve's fur coat. It lies there tucked between the rocks, yet there is no sign of Neve nearby.
06[22:02] * Seira spends a moment staring at it curiously, estimating how long the coat had been lying there.
[22:03] <Kotono> There's a bit of snow atop it but not too much. The coat is folded strangely - none of the interior can be seen, only the furry exterior.
06[22:05] * Seira frowns, but finds a spot where they wouldn't immediately freeze to death, and then casts a Sending with Neve as the recipient.
01[22:08] <Seira> 'I came to talk with you about an important matter regarding us both. Are you home? Can you meet me at the entrance?'
[22:09] <Kotono> Seira sends the Sending! There is no reply. As Abagail shivers bitterly, her lips turning blue, "A-a-anything?"
06[22:10] * Seira shakes her head to the negative. "Under the circumstances, we should look at the coat," she says, doing as much.
[22:11] <Kotono> "To wear it?" Abagail says with open hope, "This c-cold is completely uncivilized. Don't you have the means to protect from the elements, Seira?"
01[22:12] <Seira> "To see whether it was folded this way for a reason," Seira responds. "If this fails, we'll do something about the cold or just leave."
[22:14] <Kotono> The interior of the coat is stained. Written in icy blue in the center is the following, "I once heard a story that creatures called snakes shed their skin and leave it behind. That's a preposterous story. Isn't it?" Then, below that, "Then again, what does a one eyed near zombie have here?" Below even that, at the bottom hem of the jacket, "It was a good vacation to the east, wasn't it?"
06[22:17] * Seira drops it back, standing up abruptly. "We're returning for now," she states. "I'll take us to the capital of Pallanth. You could teleport us back home from there, correct?"
[22:17] <Kotono> Abagail reads over Seira's shoulder, "...you don't think she...?" Amid her shivers, "Seira?"
01[22:19] <Seira> "I don't know," Seira admits. "You're right. This is why I brought you. I need someone to think straight when it comes to her." She takes our a pair of scrolls of Endure Elements, and hands one over to Abagail. "Let's see if she went back, as this implies? She couldn't have gotten far, going by the snow."
[22:21] <Kotono> Abagail immediately casts, her shivering stopping. With a momentary smile of utter relief, rubbing her fingers and forearms, "Sorry, run your ideas by me? My mind was concentrating on not turning into a solid block of ice."
01[22:22] <Seira> "She tried to return to where she came from," Seira says slowly. "That's what I think it means. Except she can't, since there is an all-encomassing barrier in that direction. If we head after her, we might be able to catch up to Neve."
[22:23] <Kotono> "Maybe." Goign to rub her shoulders together now, "Is there any better way to find her than blindly open? A dweomer that can speed this up? If speed is important..."
[22:24] <Kotono> *blindly go. Weird typo.
01[22:25] <Seira> "I don't have a large mirror to scry for her with. Amaryl might have been able to track her, but I can't really bring her here until the next day at the earliest." Seira looks miserable. "I don't know. This isn't what I expected to see when coming to warn her and remove the curses upon her."
[22:26] <Kotono> Abagail considers a few moments, "Maybe she wanted a fresh start after all of what happened with you? Like selling a summer residence that a loved one dies in and buying a nicer one after."
01[22:30] <Seira> "I'll try to find out, then," Seira decides, memorizing another Sending and then directing it to Neve once more, the message being, 'I was wrong. I won't apologize, but I intend to restore you to how you were. I'll return in a week.'
[22:33] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check?
01[22:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+37 okay
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+37 okay and gets 40." [1d20=3]
[22:35] <Kotono> There is no reply. Abagail watches throughout, resting and breathing deep anda little rapidly. "Is it possible she's..." Abagail trails off again, "Be it of her own volition or another creature or accident?"
01[22:38] <Seira> "I don't know. I can't tell, if she's not talking to me," Seira says, though she's calmed down by now. "We are returning. If you can allot the time for it, I would like you to scry for her daily. Since we still have some of Neve's blood for exactly this purpose, even if the reasoning behind it was different, you might be met with success and answer that question, at least."
[22:38] <Kotono> "I'll do the first one today," Abagail agrees, "I can spare an hour for this."
06[22:39] * Seira nods, and takes hold of Abagail's arm, focusing on a frozen elven village serving as their rest point.
01[22:39] <Seira> roll 1d100 ring
06[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 ring and gets 49." [1d100=49]
[22:39] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and roll your TPs.
01[22:39] <Seira> roll 1d200 limited wish to TP to the Citadel
06[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d200 limited wish to TP to the Citadel and gets 80." [1d200=80]
[22:39] <Kotono> OOC: d200?
01[22:40] <Seira> OOC: Typo.
01[22:40] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 53." [1d100=53]
[22:40] <Kotono> OOC: Stopping there?
06[22:41] * Seira intends to report to the elven council about what they have discovered about the nature of their enemy and Celebrimbor's fate, after which she would focus on opening a path from the Citadel to Balmuria, by way of the temple of Helm.
[22:42] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, for the sake of making sure you get everything done in order befor eyo ugo, we'll skip over yet another infodump. Okay.

[Corwin]

[18:35] <Kotono_Ibis> ---
[18:35] <Kotono_Ibis> Okay Seira, what' son your agenda here?
01[18:36] <Yomi> Slightly adjust my spell list, then scry and such. I assume my fourth permanent TP circle went off without a hitch?
01[18:36] <Yomi> Citadel->Temple of Helm
03[18:37] * Yomi is now known as Seira
03[18:37] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[18:37] <Kotono_Ibis> Yeah, nothing apocalyptic happened.
01[18:37] <Seira> Edits to the posted spell list: Helical Mirage->Resist Energy, Heroism->MCaE, Greater Invisibility->Voice of the Dragon, Greater Mirror Image x2->blank, GMW->Scrying, Empowered Flame Whips->Greater Heroism, Twinned Ray of Dizziness/Twinned Melf's Unicorn Arrow->Greater Teleport x2
[18:37] <Kotono_Ibis> Okay.
[18:37] <Kotono_Ibis> For reference, what are the curses you put on Neve?
01[18:39] <Seira> Bestow Curse: -4 penalty, -6 decrease to con, -6 decrease to cha, each turn/50%. The last one was removed when she was released.
[18:39] <Kotono_Ibis> Okay.
01[18:39] <Seira> I'm pretty sure it was con and cha, anyway.
[18:39] <Kotono_Ibis> Just making sure I had them straight.
01[18:39] <Seira> So she should have a -14/-19 penalty to the roll, depending on how well I'm considered to know her
[18:40] <Kotono_Ibis> Okay, go ahead and make the relevant rolls for scrying?
01[18:40] <Seira> roll 1d20+18 SR
06[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 SR and gets 19." [1d20=1]
01[18:41] <Seira> Abby can try, I guess. If she fails, I'll do something else today and try again tomorrow.
[18:41] <Kotono_Ibis> Seira spends an hour and promptly realizes her spell was resisted. A 1? Again? Really?
[18:41] <Kotono_Ibis> roll 1d20+11
06[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono_Ibis rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[18:42] <Kotono_Ibis> roll 1d20+12 (-10 body part) will
06[18:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono_Ibis rolls 1d20+12 (-10 body part) will and gets 14." [1d20=2]
[18:42] <Kotono_Ibis> ---
[18:43] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Forgot the -4 for curse but with a 2 it's irrelevant.
[18:44] <Kotono_Ibis> After Seira's spell fizzles, Abagail spends an hour casting. The two stand by a polished silver mirror, watching as reality comes into form. You see a glinting, glacial view. Ice caves, perhaps? Pure, solid ice. Within one Neve lies, wearing a slightly darker fur coat and leaning against a icewall. She is eating what looks to be frozen meat and broken up ice.
06[18:46] * Seira breathes out a sigh of relief. "She wasn't abducted or worse. That's good." She spends a few moments just observing Neve, before casting her preparatory spells in order, extending their duration whenever possible.
01[18:46] <Seira> "Would you like to come along, or stay here and watch?" Seira then asks Abagail, when she feels ready to proceed. "If you use Message on me, we should be able to remain in contact either way."
01[18:48] <Seira> OOC: Extended MCaE, Extended Resist Energy/Cold, Voice of the Dragon, Greater Heroism.
[18:48] <Kotono_Ibis> Abagail watches, "Frozen dinner?" With a sidelong look at Seira, "I thought Message didn't extend that far?"
[18:48] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Okay.
01[18:48] <Seira> "No, but it works through the scrying spell."
[18:48] <Kotono_Ibis> Thus Abagail nods and casts Message!
[18:48] <Kotono_Ibis> roll 1d100
06[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono_Ibis rolls 1d100 and gets 25." [1d100=25]
01[18:50] <Seira> "You should be able to read the situation even without it, given this," Seira adds, gesturing at the massive mirror used as a medium for the scrying process. "I might need your help, here, so stay sharp." And then, taking a deep breath and schooling her features, Seira teleports to the outer edge of the scrying spell, the farthest she can manage from Neve.
[18:51] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Scrying only sees 10ft around the sensor, do bear in mind.
01[18:51] <Seira> OOC: It's so I don't land in her lap
[18:54] <Kotono_Ibis> Woosh! So Seira appears. She stands inside pure ice - the walls are ice, everything is frozen. Neve sits against a wall, eating some sort of frozen meat. Her gaze barely breaks away as Seira appears, her breath misting in the air. "How abrupt. The great archmage can't be bothered with common courtesy?" Neve's good eye stares at Seira, a strip of fur over and covering her empty eye socket.
01[18:55] <Seira> "You didn't get my Sendings?" Seira asks, taking a look around. Should there be a conveniently empty spot of wall opposite of Neve, she would claim it for herself to sit facing the fey. "In any case, I was worried that the demons got you, so I decided to forego the week and scried for you."
[18:57] <Kotono_Ibis> Neve's mono-eyed gaze settles onto Seira as she sits next to her. "What do you want now?"
06[19:01] * Seira nods curtly. "I would like you to listen. We didn't understand each other that well before, and it bothers me a lot, but that aside, I'm sure you realize I wouldn't have done this without a very good reason. There has been a series of attacks on our world by demons and liches.
01[19:02] <Seira> The latter hit uncomfortably, too close to home. I felt terrible, thinking that a fate worse than death claimed you again, and that was when I was forced to reevaluate what I have done." Seira sighs. "I'm not sure why, but you happen to be among the very few matters in the world I can't react to objectively.
01[19:02] <Seira> Still, because I've made mistakes and hurt us both, does it mean I just give up and leave you to fend for yourself if they decide to come after you, as they have for every strong, worthy being on Prime?"
[19:07] <Kotono_Ibis> "At first I thought you were a fool. Now I know better," Neve tosses her food aside, standing up. "You're a devil. Oh no, demons and liches are coming for me! I'll make you better, but you'd better do what I say now! I've had long enough to stew in my curses and losses, surely I'll come groveling back at a chance to be made whole, no matter what flimsy excuse you have for it?"
01[19:09] <Seira> "And yet, I didn't ask you for anything. First, I wanted to warn you, and I did. Next, I will remove the curses, so that you have a real chance if they do come for you. There is nothing past it."
[19:10] <Kotono_Ibis> Neve watches Seira with silent chilliness. "Do it then."
06[19:11] * Seira nods once more, and takes out her spellbook. "I'll need about a quarter of an hour to acquire the right spells. If you would like to use that time to finish your breakfast, we would both be ready by that time."
[19:12] <Kotono_Ibis> Neve seems content to watch Seira quietly, not offering conversation but simply waiting. OOC: You can go ahead if you like.
06[19:14] * Seira calms herself, opening her mind to the arcane as she settles into her meditation, memorizing the spell she needs to break a curse upon Neve. Once she is done, Seira puts her spellbook away, and stands up, approaching the fey. "You will need to relax as much as you are able. I can't really make the situation any less difficult between us as is."
[19:14] <Kotono_Ibis> Neve crosses her arms but after a moment she nods. "Very well."
06[19:16] * Seira nods herself, unwilling to force a cure on someone even if it is within her power. She first undoes the chains on Neve's magnetic personality, before following up with her health, and culminating with removing the last, most insidious of the curses upon her. Taking a few steps back, she observes Neve silently.
[19:17] <Kotono_Ibis> Neve's posture grows stronger. There is a different gleaming in her eye, her shoulders held higher. "...mph. Thechains of magic are indeed gone." Neve admits.
01[19:19] <Seira> "I'm not at the stage where I could heal your eye," Seira admits, "but I do have the right contacts. It's only gold, so I'll secure the necessary scroll. However, the emergency situation back home truly is dire, so that might take time. Perhaps only a week. Perhaps longer. I apologize, but my duties to those I am sworn to protect limit my ability to act independantly at such a time."
[19:22] <Kotono_Ibis> "So be it." Neve's gaze is distant, chilly and frozen. "Demons and liches, hm?"
01[19:25] <Seira> "If you see or hear of doll-faced demons, just do your best to avoid them, for Pale Night's servants never travel alone," Seira tells Neve, brushing bits of snow off her clothing in preparation of returning.
[19:26] <Kotono_Ibis> "They don't? Very well." Neve merely nods, expression unchanging.
06[19:28] * Seira gives Neve one last look, before she nods as well and teleports over to the mountain where she left the Roc to form a nest for itself.
01[19:29] <Seira> OOC: Greater TP again
[19:32] <Kotono_Ibis> Woosh! Seira appears in the Galkass Mountains, the chilly air whirling about her. The sky is cloudy and hazy, sharp winds blowing about.
06[19:34] * Seira is more than protected from chill, not even giving the weather a second thought. Instead, she looks for any telltale signs of the creature she had befriended previously.
[19:34] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Going to basically look around for the birdie?
01[19:42] <Seira> OOC: Sorry! Yes. Or signs of nests.
[19:43] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Make a search check?
01[19:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+34
06[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+34 and gets 53." [1d20=19]
[19:45] <Kotono_Ibis> Seira follows a trail of feathers, coming to a high peak. Atop this peak nests the great roc seen before. The chill sunshine shines down on the majestic bird as it surveys all the mountains from its lofty perch.
01[19:47] <Seira> "Hello again, Roc," Seira greets it. "I've heard of the great exodus of the lizards from these mountains, so it is not too much to hope that you have been doing well?"
[19:47] <Kotono_Ibis> From above the great bird looks down. It speaks in the words of the wind, "I have hunted well."
06[19:48] * Seira reciprocates, quite naturally. "My appreciation. I lost a very dear friend to those things, once upon a time."
[19:50] <Kotono_Ibis> "They hide in the stone from my pussiance and wrath. Let them be eaten."
06[19:54] * Seira smiles at the nice thought of shocker lizards cowering before their inevitable doom. "I have come today with a request," she says, however, getting back to the reason for her visit. "There have been attacks on our city and those of our allies. Cowardly attacks that came without warning or reason, guided by demons and their ilk.
01[19:54] <Seira> Would you concent to lending your strength to our defense? Even if no further attacks come, our citizens would be, without a doubt, reassured to see you in our midst." Once they were prepared for the idea, of course, Seira doesn't add.
[19:57] <Kotono_Ibis> "I am willing, for I owe you a debt. However, is it not your Lady's words that nothing is for free? A quantity of human coin could be useful and proper compensation."
01[19:59] <Seira> "I was prepared to negotiate proper compensation," Seira agrees, having expected as much. "But if I might ask, what value is gold to you? Only dragons collect gold for gold's sake. Any other being I have come across thus far merely sees gold as a means to acquiring that which they truly wish to possess."
03[19:59] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5447166e.wfd83a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[19:59] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:00] <Kotono_Ibis> "It is a useful tool and many value it for it's wealth. That is why."
01[20:01] <Seira> There is quite a bit Seira wants to ask. Such as where the Roc intends to spend his gold, or which store owner would even understand Auran enough to negotiate for purchases. Instead, she merely inclines her head. "A suitable reason to satisfy my curiousity. What sort of rate did you have in mind?"
[20:02] <Kotono_Ibis> "A human may work for a single circle of gold. I am worth at least a thousand humans, so a thousand gold coins."
06[20:04] * Seira inclines her head once more. "The terms you have specified are acceptable. I would consider our oral agreement a binding contract, but if you wish for one, I could produce a written contract instead and give you a copy to keep."
[20:05] <Kotono_Ibis> "Your word will do."
01[20:06] <Seira> "As will yours," Seira tells the Roc with a bright smile, before trying to get in touch with Amaryl, asking mentally, 'Are you busy?'
[20:07] <Kotono_Ibis> 'Only a little - I'm taking a bath,' Amaryl sends back, 'What's going on, Seira?'
06[20:09] * Seira takes a long moment to respond. 'Hmm? Ah, right. I talked to the Roc and we've reached an agreement. He will aid us in return for a fee, which is of a thousand golden coins. I can handle that, so all we really need right now is for the Commander to decide where Roc's services would be most needed, and to prepare the populace. I was thinking of Valandia, myself.'
[20:10] <Kotono_Ibis> 'I can go talk to him...hold on, let me get out.' There's a pause of several moments, then, 'Or send Donald to do it.'
01[20:11] <Seira> 'That's what Donald's for! No need to rush, take your time,' Seira relates happily.
[20:12] <Kotono_Ibis> 'Okay. When will you be back home?'
01[20:14] <Seira> 'Probably too late to join you, but what do you think about a short trip to Astral afterwards? I had an idea about something I could do to better myself.' Or die trying, it goes without saying.
[20:14] <Kotono_Ibis> 'I'll be ready,' Amaryl sends back, 'Whenever you are.'
01[20:15] <Seira> 'Thanks,' Seira thinks, settling to wait as she fills the Roc in on recent events that are common knowledge in the Baronies, making small talk.
[20:15] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Killing time or going somewhere with this, by the by?
01[20:16] <Seira> OOC: Just want Obi to decide where the Roc will go and guide him there/give directions. This can happen off screen.
[20:18] <Kotono_Ibis> OOC: Easily enough done. Okay, going to meet up with Amaryl?
01[20:19] <Seira> OOC: Yeah
[20:20] <Kotono_Ibis> Amaryl and Seira meet in their private quarters. Amaryl is dressed and ready to go to battle, "There's little rest when everything is on the line, no?"
01[20:21] <Seira> "Unless you count all the time we spend out of battle, just going somewhere or waiting," Seira responds with a smirk. "Let's go grab Abagail, and I'll run my plans by you two. If there's anything stupid, I'm hoping you'll catch it and stop me."
[20:24] <Kotono_Ibis> Amaryl leans in and gives Seira a light kiss right on the lips. "Promise I will." With that the three meet in the garrison, a quiet room put aside. Abagail sits primly in a high wooden backed seat, while Amaryl sinks into her own, hands in her lap. "Well then?" Abagail asks, "What's your grand plan?"
01[20:28] <Seira> "We were considering heading into the ruins to seek further blessing from our patron deities in a manner that would not harm the restrictions placed upon all parties," Seira begins her perhaps unnecessarily officious explanation. "The idea is that if they act too much, the other side gets a wedge in.
01[20:28] <Seira> Unrelated to this, I wished to take this chance to get as much done, as much built here on this world while I still had the chance. One of those things I wished to mend was the gate to the Plane of Water, which required me to head to Astral.
01[20:28] <Seira> But when I thought of those two ideas together, I realized that Waukeen had already opened a path for me by bequesting me to seek out the red dragons of Astral to gain her approval. If I need the strength to challenge Pale Night's servants and allies, it might well lie there."
[20:30] <Kotono_Ibis> "Dragons? Plural?" Abagail cocks an eyebrow up, "That sounds deleriously dangerous. A single dragon is enough to put your life in danger, multiple is suicidal."
01[20:31] <Seira> "That would not change, even if I became as powerful as possible as a mortal," Seira points out. "All that would, in fact, change is how many of the dragons I could put down before being slain myself. Therefore, I have theorized that Waukeen does not wish me to battle a draconic horde, but to accomplish a different task."
[20:33] <Kotono_Ibis> "What's the task then?" Amaryl quietly asks, "Seira..." Shaking her head, "A group of reclusive red dragons, what goal is to be found there?"
01[20:36] <Seira> "This was back when I still held onto my preconceptions of how dragons of certain types are beholden to their supposed natures," Seira responds, frowning. "The single example of Ajan aside, of course, and he was bound and could possibly have been lying about certain matters.
01[20:36] <Seira> I remember asking Waukeen if I could affect the red dragons the way they wished to affect me, and turn them around. Since I was told I could try... also, Waukeen can't possibly want me to commit genocide to prove myself. Maybe she wants to see if I can approach the dragons and negotiate with them, before leaving the group alive?"
[20:38] <Kotono_Ibis> "That...that makes sense," Abagail says after some squinty-eyed thought, narrowing in on Seira. "Waukeen's a trade goddess. Negotionation and diplomacy are her calling cards. Certainly she may understand the need for strength at arms, but it's not her nature."
01[20:41] <Seira> "Plus the red dragons aren't harming anyone!" Seira agrees, fervently hoping this is indeed the case. But wouldn't they have heard about it in their travels? She shakes her head. "It must be a trial Waukeen has placed before me, and I might discover its next part as I embark. Or I might not realize a single thing until after I've returned."
01[20:41] <Seira> If I return. "So the questions here are, really, is this a foolish idea, and if not, what should I do to prepare myself before setting out on this quest?"
[20:45] <Kotono_Ibis> "It's a large risk. If the dragons are hostile, can you get out of there in one piece?" Abagail puts her hands together, "Where in the Astral is it? If you have confidence in yourself and in Waukeen, I'd try."
01[20:47] <Seira> "It really depends on magic working for me or against me," Seira admits. "If I see the sign of hostility, I can command Lagann to get me away. Unfortunately, if planar travel of any kind is forbidden in the area where they stay, he would be unable to protect me in this way. And, of course, this doesn't even account for the slim possibility of being attacked on sight or ambushed."

[Corwin]

[19:07] <Kotono> > "That...that makes sense," Abagail says after some squinty-eyed thought, narrowing in on Seira. "Waukeen's a trade goddess. Negotionation and diplomacy are her calling cards. Certainly she may understand the need for strength at arms, but it's not her nature."
[19:07] <Kotono> <Seira> "Plus the red dragons aren't harming anyone!" Seira agrees, fervently hoping this is indeed the case. But wouldn't they have heard about it in their travels? She shakes her head. "It must be a trial Waukeen has placed before me, and I might discover its next part as I embark. Or I might not realize a single thing until after I've returned."
[19:07] <Kotono> <Seira> If I return. "So the questions here are, really, is this a foolish idea, and if not, what should I do to prepare myself before setting out on this quest?"
[19:07] <Kotono> > "It's a large risk. If the dragons are hostile, can you get out of there in one piece?" Abagail puts her hands together, "Where in the Astral is it? If you have confidence in yourself and in Waukeen, I'd try."
[19:07] <Kotono> <Seira> "It really depends on magic working for me or against me," Seira admits. "If I see the sign of hostility, I can command Lagann to get me away. Unfortunately, if planar travel of any kind is forbidden in the area where they stay, he would be unable to protect me in this way. And, of course, this doesn't even account for the slim possibility of being attacked on sight or ambushed."
[19:08] <Kotono> "Dragons are all highly skilled with magic, yes?" Abagail considers as she ponders this, voice speculative. "I would imagine they'd have the best wards and protections around a signifigant group lair or site of importance that they could have. The chances of being able to shift or teleport out of it...not good. Not good at all."
01[19:09] <Seira> "Would you normally do that?" Seira wonders. "Teleporting through Astral often has no meaning, so why ward against it?"
[19:12] <Kotono> "I don't know. It depends on how the dragons think. How do dragons think," Looking right at Seira, "Aren't they reclusive?"
01[19:15] <Seira> "So you're thinking they're paranoid enough to prepare for everything?" Seira shrugs. "I suppose they had the time for it, if so. But it would be pretty nasty of them to let me in unchallenged, and only then to try and kill me. If their hostile intentions are shown clearly as I approach, I might be able to escape yet."
[19:16] <Kotono> "It would be nasty. It would also be intelligent to lure you in and then crush you en masse. If they want you dead, I can hardly think of a better way," Abagail smirks a little, "Besides, aren't most dragons arrogant in regards to us? They see us as lesser beings, at least according to the studies?"
06[19:18] * Seira can't really argue with that. "It would show far more cunning and trepidation towards said lesser beings than anything we've seen so far of the dragons we came across, but again, that hardly means it can't happen," she agrees.
[19:19] <Kotono> "Besides, it may not be you they fear, but what about other dragons or immortals?" Abagail nods along, "I'd be as well prepared as possible and have a few powerful outs."
01[19:21] <Seira> "Any idea if there's a spell that breaks through dimensional anchoring, even if only temporarily?" Seira asks next, wondering whether Wish in any of its forms might be able to accomplish that task.
[19:24] <Kotono> "None that I know of," Abagail answers offhand.
06[19:27] * Seira considers this some more. "Anti-magic should stop it, but won't let me escape, either. A powerful dispel might suppress the effects, however."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Anti-magic is a double-bladed sword," Amaryl frowns, "Can you defend yourself against giant dragons without magic?"
01[19:34] <Seira> "Surprisingly well!" Seira agrees. "But yes, any direct escape plan would be based on hoping for a strong suppressant of the spell keeping me grounded via Greater Dispel. I'll probably only have one chance at this, too. I certainly hope I don't need to do this at all, however."
06[19:34] * Seira frowns. "We're back to the part where we're considering Waukeen is sending me into mortal peril to either slay red dragons or get eaten. If we work off the negotiations and trade angle, then what could Waukeen expect to gain from me contacting the red dragon horde?"
[19:36] <Kotono> "I don't know...would a red dragon know? Ajan?" Amaryl considers this fo ra time, frowning more as she does. "We're speculating without really knowing what we need to know."
01[19:38] <Seira> "How about we go and see him?" Seira muses, finding herself nodding alongside Amaryl's words. "I could use the chance to introduce you to him, too."
[19:38] <Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl smiles hesitantly, "Waukeen will protect me...I'm sure of it. She made sure I came back to you." Amaryl stands, "Let's go then?"
01[19:42] <Seira> "She likes you a lot, and I can see why," Seira agrees, smiling back with far more confidence. Turning towards Abagail, she asks, "Please help Elle in the near future? She is working on making really impressive ancient orbs of instant communication operational once more, and they could prove invaluable in case of another attack on our allies.
01[19:42] <Seira> Or, alternately, as the means to keep in constant touch with members of the Guard when they're away on matters such as this one."
[19:44] <Kotono> "I am. I'm helping her, working with Eudard, Xavier and the Helmites on defense, consulting with Commander Oberuth..." Abagail leans back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "There's barely enough time to get a full night's rest so I can refresh my magic."
06[19:45] * Seira directs a smile at Abagail as well. "At least we have the best excuse to get one?"
[19:46] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along to Ajan now? If so, which way are you taking?
01[19:47] <Seira> OOC: I'll give us water breathing and head through the sea, I think
[19:53] <Kotono> The swim through the sea is chilly and wet, much like the normal winter sea. You pass by forgotten gates and defeated bees, reaching Ajan. He is waiting, staring down at you as you enter. His voice shakes all the firmanents of the earth, "You have returned, Seira..." His burning red eyes settle onto Amaryl, "The touch of Waukeen is with you. You may pass as you please."
01[19:55] <Seira> "Ajan, Amaryl. Amaryl, Ajan," Seira introduces the two, gesturing when is appropriate. Ajan seems to appreciate directness, so she doesn't dawdle. "I have," she proceeds to say. "Our pact calls for me to venture to the Astral to seek out the red dragons there. I find myself unable to delay this much longer. Could you help explain to me just what is happening?"
[19:57] <Kotono> "On what matter?" Ajan rumbles, the scent of smoke filling the chambers, coming from his nostrils. "What has provoked you to challenge them? The actions of the Dark Six?"
06[19:58] * Seira nods. "I feel that if I prove myself before Waukeen in this manner, I would gain her support against the Dark Six, who are directly aided by a Neverborn and Pale Night. Against such odds, I don't believe I can put this off any longer."
03[20:02] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af2ae8f.tcl126.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:02] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:03] <Kotono> "Proceed to the Astral and seek your destiny, dragon." Ajan snorts, flames leaping out around his eyes. "You have always wanted to be a dragon, no?"
01[20:06] <Seira> Maybe not always, but certainly a key part of her life. "I really don't want you to take this the wrong way, especially given how much you've helped me in the past," she tells Ajan, "but if I'm misinterpreting Waukeen's wishes, I'm likely to die and then I can't succeed in my goals, including the key one of slaying Daa-vid and ending this prison."
06[20:06] * Seira pauses. "From my understanding, seeking the dragons out might result in me becoming one of them, but will my mind still be my own? Will I be allowed to return? Is that what Waukeen has in mind?"
[20:07] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check here, Seira?
05[20:07] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:08] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
01[20:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+47 still have voice of the dragon up
06[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+47 still have voice of the dragon up and gets 58." [1d20=11]
[20:09] <Kotono> "What becomes of you on your success or failure will be the ultimate test," Ajan peers down at Seira, "That is the fire that will test your soul and temper your scales. I cannot answer that question, for your own destiny lies in your claws. If you are truly a dragon, you will make your own destiny there, no matter the will of inferior creatures. If you cannot, you will be made or discarded by superior creatures. Such is the way of dragons.
[20:10] <Kotono> superior creatures. Such is the way of dragons."
03[20:12] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:14] <Seira> "I'm comfortable with having my fate in my own hands, and I fear no tests," Seira says in a measured tone of voice. "Thank you, Ajan. Lack of knowledge is a terrible thing. With no idea what to expect, I worried over having to wage needless battles against the entirety of that clan."
[20:21] <Kotono> Ajan's scaly lips curl up, showing several long, white, sharp tearing teeth. His eyes blaze, burning with crimson fires. "If you must have some knowledge then, know this: For all of a dragon's physical might, it's greatest asset is the powerful mind, intellect and will that drives it. A dragon lacking those is no better than a wild animal."
01[20:22] <Seira> It would be pretty shameful to fail after this, so Seira nods once more. "Thank you once more for your time, Ajan," she tells the wyrm. "I'll be off to seize my destiny, then."
[20:23] <Kotono> Amaryl gulps and bows as well, "T-thank you," she murmurs.
[20:26] <Kotono> "Go. If you succeed and return to the seals, there is still the matter of your servitude to me once all matters are done." Ajan gazes, "Then we shall talk of things, things that you must know."
01[20:27] <Seira> "I have not forgotten of that," Seira agrees, and steps back, before turning around and walking out of the chamber.
[20:29] <Kotono> Once you are walking back with Amaryl and through the first portal, "So it's your will and your mind that's important and not your might?" Amaryl asks aloud.
01[20:31] <Seira> "Might can't be meaningless, but this likely means there is a battle of wits or something along those lines?" Seira ventures. "My preparations could make all the difference, here, though I'm hardly a slouch without them. Still, sounds pretty dangerous. What are you going to do?"
[20:32] <Kotono> As you travel along, coming back ot the ocean, Amaryl takes her time in considering. Just before you go into th ewaters, "Seira." She says at last, "You think you can triumph?"
01[20:33] <Seira> "I will triumph, whatever the tests."
[20:33] <Kotono> "Then I'll be here for you, or at your side there, or whatever else you wish." Stopping now, "Always."
01[20:36] <Seira> "It's insanely dangerous, but is defending the eladrin children in the Abyss or fighting ancient liches at their fortresses any safer?" Seira snorts. "If you go, there's just one thing. You can't show weakness before the red dragons. You're trying to become one in your own way, and to be meek towards them might be dangerous. Can you handle that? Some might be as powerful as Ajan."
[20:37] <Kotono> "...I will." Amaryl promises, "I will."
01[20:38] <Seira> "Let's go, then. I saw a vision of a valley I think I need to seek out, so that's as good a starting point as any. Lagann will take us to Astral, and if we're in luck, the way onwards would be revealed to us."
[20:40] <Kotono> OOC: Going to exit out and then plane shift along?
01[20:41] <Seira> OOC: Yes. Normally, I'd appear within 5d100 miles of the valley, but I dunno how Astral works with that
[20:42] <Kotono> OOC: Distance is mostly irrelevant in the Astral so it hardly matters.
01[20:42] <Seira> OOC: Yeah. PM question first, please?
[20:43] <Kotono> Thus Seira returns home and rests...OOC: Resting for the day? Go ahead and switch spells/prepare?
01[20:43] <Seira> OOC: Yeah, sec
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Lemme know when.
01[20:50] <Seira> OOC: dune
01[20:51] <Seira> OOC: ready~
[20:53] <Kotono> Thus Seira and Amaryl prepare in Seira's room. Once ready and finishing a glass of water, "Are you ready?" Amaryl asks, "I think I am, as much as I'm able."
01[20:56] <Seira> "Time to see the dragons," Seira agrees, enchanting Amaryl's bow and then calling upon Lagann's power to transport them towards their starting point.
01[20:56] <Seira> OOC: GMW
[21:00] <Kotono> All about you is hazy silver. You float in the Astral Sea, emptiness from horizon to horizon. A silent, peaceful timelessness settles over you, Amaryl looking about several times. "This is the Astral? It's truly as empty as your books said it would be."
01[21:01] <Seira> "It's certainly boring to travel alone," Seira agrees, taking Amaryl's hand and gesturing forward. "Be bold, make your own path. That's what Ajan was saying, right? Then the way lies here."
[21:03] <Kotono> "Let's go then," Amaryl nods, as thet wo start to fly ahead. OOC: Good to move along?
01[21:03] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[21:05] <Kotono> Thus you fly into endless silver expanses. How long you fly...you do not know. Time escapes you within a few 'moments' of moving, leaving everything behind. Ahead...you see something. A small red shape is flying in the Astral, coming in your direction.
01[21:07] <Seira> Dragonskin and Heroism are both defensive spells, unmistakenly so, and Seira imbues herself with them both in a flash as she pauses, sharing the latter with Amaryl, all extended past their natural ability. Voice of the Dragon is a somewhat more tricky proposition, but at least it should allow Seira to sound like one of them, so she invokes it too, before resuming her wait for the shape to draw closer.
[21:10] <Kotono> The shape takes some time to approach. It is...a dragon? A human sized dragon, scales of glossy red and pouncing ahead in the air. With a loud, boisterous voice, "Halt, I am Scorch!" It pronounces. "What business do you have passing here, humanoid?"
06[21:12] * Seira has already halted, considering that she might be on the verge of tresspassing, and having no desire to do so unannounced. "My name is Seira," she introduces herself in Draconic. "My destiny lies ahead."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Destiny?" The little dragon laughs all over, "What destiny does a little flea like you have? If you know what's good for you, you'll turn around and go home!"
01[21:17] <Seira> "If I were not guided to this place for my final transformation, I would not be here," Seira calmly points out.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Oh yeah?" The little dragon scowls, a hint of flame leaking from it's mouth, "How do I not know that you're just a lying bandit trying to get out of being cooked?"
01[21:19] <Seira> "If a dragon's greatest asset is their sharp intellect, then I am more suited for being here," Seira points out again, this time with just a bit of haughtiness as she exhales mesmerizing golden flame. "Unless you are secretly the oldest of wyrms, the one you addressed as a flea can rend you limb from limb. What purpose is served by blindly picking unwinnable fights?"
[21:20] <Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check, +3?
01[21:20] <Seira> roll 1d20+35
06[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+35 and gets 51." [1d20=16]
[21:21] <Kotono> The little red dragon skirks back, "F-fine!" With a snap it turns tail and hurries away, "I'-I'll let you pass!"
06[21:22] * Seira inclines her head at the fleeing red dragon for Amaryl's benefit, and follows it at a pace that comfortably keeps it in sight without giving the appearance of chasing the small dragon down.
01[21:23] <Seira> OOC: Laf, forgot the +10 from VotD
[21:24] <Kotono> Amaryl cracks a smile, "That was just a wyrmling dragon?"
01[21:25] <Seira> "At least they're not all ancient and hopelessly set in their ways?" Seira responds with a smile of her own. She hardly relaxes just because an outer perimeter guard was terrified by someone of her power, however. The true test is not even yet to begin.
[21:27] <Kotono> As you fly on, you quickly see Scorch vanish. A moment later, the silvery horzin begins to glow with a faint hint of red. You can feel a faraway heat lick your bodies, from so far away, yet felt teasing you.
[21:29] <Kotono> Amaryl squints and peers ahead, a hand over her eyes, "Red? Its' getting a bit warm, too. You feel that, Seira?"
01[21:30] <Seira> "This might be the valley of lava. I considered this," Seira admits. "But judging durations on Astral is next to impossible, so warding you against the heat might have run out at the wrong time, and I didn't want to risk that. If it becomes too much, hold back?"
[21:32] <Kotono> "Okay." With that you advance on! You fly for a time, the heat and glow maintaining an evenness. You fly for a little while until...it approaches out of the Silver Sea, not hiding itself. A large sized dragon, propelling itself with it's wings. "Hail!" It calls as it comes closer.
01[21:34] <Seira> Once more, Seira finds herself coming to a halt. "Greetings. I am Seira," she returns, introducing herself to this new dragon as well. "I come here because it is time for me to embrace my true nature fully."
[21:35] <Kotono> "I am Kalfyra. I am traveling, looking for a mate." So announcing, the dragn stops 50 feet away, hovering in the Silver Sea. "A worthy dragon to couple with me."
06[21:38] * Seira just barely stops herself from launching into coughing fit, stumped by this development. "If I took this the right way, I'm sorry, but I'm already taken. If I didn't, then I guess I'll have to apologize again, if only for different reasons."
[21:39] <Kotono> With a snarling snap, "You presume foolishly, humanoid! To think, degrading myself to mate with you!"
01[21:41] <Seira> It takes supreme force of will not to extoll her virtues in the face of this, but Seira preserves. Rather, she calmly waits for the anger to pass. She had apologized in advance, after all.
[21:43] <Kotono> Quivering all over from scale to claw with the utmost fury, "Such arrogance! I deign to allow you some information on me and you mock your superior being?!"
01[21:47] <Seira> Seira's lips part in a snarl. "Don't push it, Kalfyra," she tells it threateningly. Ajan said that she is not to care for the will of the inferior, but pass on as the superior being she seeks to confirm herself as, and so she lets her anger show openly. "Only a wyrm might presume to treat me so callously and have a prayer of avoiding consequences. Do not mistake politeness for subservience!"
[21:48] <Kotono> "You dare to act as if you are equal to me?!" With a gust of flaming mirth, "Pathetic! You are as flammable and weak as the rest! You will scream and die in my fires if I deign to burn you!"
01[21:50] <Seira> "Equal? Hardly," Seira states with disdain, flames gathering in her palms. "Fire, you said? Fine. It is a worthy handicap. We'll see which of us burns the hardest as I restrict myself to that single element!"
[21:51] <Kotono> With a roar, Kalfyra gushes flames at Seira, eyes burning with fury! OOC: Goa head an dmake a ref save if you care to.
01[21:52] <Seira> It is a hard call, and the one Seira makes is perhaps foolish, but if she dodges first, she in effect forfeits. If she is the one to endure and force Kalfyra to flinch, that is a clear advantage.
01[21:53] <Seira> OOC: I won't save, and will mock him if he does. If I don't burn to death.
[21:53] <Kotono> roll 8d10 fire damage which is completely irrelevant.
06[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 8d10 fire damage which is completely irrelevant. and gets 46." [8d10=4, 1, 7, 3, 10, 10, 5, 6]
[21:54] <Kotono> Fire washes over Seira...yet burns her not at all, leaving her unscorched and unbothered! Kalfyra snarls again, "Magic, doubtless."
06[21:55] * Seira meets the sheathe of flames with a sneer, practically looking down at Kalfyra's words despite their relative sizes. "Excuses, the refuge of the weak," she says scornfully, breathing a stream of golden flames back!
01[21:55] <Seira> roll 8d8 FIRE
06[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 8d8 FIRE and gets 46." [8d8=1, 5, 7, 8, 5, 6, 8, 6]
06[21:57] * Seira draws the staff that is Elle's greatest gift to her, holding it before her as she moves into an openly aggressive stance. "That was my true nature. But if you would like to see my fire magic, just say the word. I will get serious."
[21:58] <Kotono> "Tsch..." Glowering at Seira, the dragon turns away, "Youa ren't worth my t ime!" With that it flies past Seira, not looking her way in the least.
06[21:59] * Seira doesn't give him the time of day, either, though even as she resumes her advance towards her nebulous goal, the staff remains in her hands.
[21:59] <Kotono> As you begin to fly again, "Curious," Amaryl says aloud, "That wasn't a very old dragon, either."
01[22:01] <Seira> "Either this is coincidence, as we meet progressively older dragons as we come closer to the core hosting the supreme ones, or it is a way of testing the unworthy," Seira muses quietly in response. "Either way, the chances are our next encounter with a dragon will be with one I will need to go all out against to best, or find some common grounds with.
01[22:01] <Seira> Granted Waukeen's nature, I will strive for the latter."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Like a circle of tests, hm? That's logical," Amaryl flies along. As she does, the horizon begins to burn in the distance, leaping flames glimpsed at the edge of the red tinted Silver Sea.
01[22:04] <Seira> "That, or the young ones preferring to explore more, or being used for the more menial tasks," Seira agrees. "Would you dispatch an old dragon to guard the perimeter?" But the burning horizon soon occupies her attention, and she peers ahead at it.
[22:05] <Kotono> It's leaping flames, coming out of nothing and flickering into the sky. "That's a good point. Why waste the important ones first?"
06[22:07] * Seira intends to come closer and see if it's a dragon entertaining itself with its breath. If it's not one of the old ones she'd mentioned to Amaryl, talking her way past it should be doable.
[22:09] <Kotono> Thus you fly along for a time. The flames come no closer, yet you travel ahead. How long are you at it? You are not sure. Time folds and twists onto itself, passing without notice. But eventually, you find yourself in front of it. A huge dragon, red as bunished hot metal. It stares down at you, sitting in the AStral Sea as if solid. "Who comes here?"
01[22:12] <Seira> "My name is Seira. My nature is a proud red dragon," she introduces herself, bowing respectfully.
[22:13] <Kotono> "My name is too complicated for a humanoid. Valin will do." It answers, it's voice booming across the Astral. "Why have you come here?"
01[22:14] <Seira> "I entered into a pact with an elder wyrm on Prime by the name of Ajan. Through this pact, I grew to embrace my new nature. Now, I am ready to take the final step in my transformation," Seira responds. Hiding the truth is meaningless. She is here to seize her destiny, not to skulk about and steal it from the unwary.
[22:17] <Kotono> "So you're Ajan's thieving little spawn?" With molten red eyes that bristle with fiery hate, "You think you can confront us after wiggilng out of your fate?"
01[22:20] <Seira> "Those decisions were all made without true understanding of the facts," Seira responds evenly. "I wish to gain that understanding now. If I had inadvertantly wronged you, Waukeen would have me pay suitable amends. That I came openly shows my intentions louder than any words I might say in my defense."
[22:22] <Kotono> OOC: On second thought, make diplo here, I thnk
[22:22] <Kotono> .
01[22:23] <Seira> roll 1d20+49 okay
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+49 okay and gets 60." [1d20=11]
[22:26] <Kotono> The dragon watches, Valin silent until Seira is done. "You have commendable courage for a lesser being. I wonder...did Ajan use you, or did you sign yourself over willingly?"
01[22:30] <Seira> "I believe that I should impart my story fully, or at least the salient points," Seira responds, spending several moments gathering her thoughts before proceeding. "I will quite naturally present myself in as good a light as possible, but my story contains no falsehood, evasions or half-truths. All I will add is my perspective.
01[22:31] <Seira> Everything started as a blue dragon my friends and I could not hope to deter appeared, threatening the city I was sworn to protect and its citizens. The only way to defeat it was to approach Ajan for aid; this aid he provided to us reliably, but he asked my friends and I to enter into a blood pact with him in order to gain his help. I did so without reservation.
01[22:33] <Seira> Eventually, I learned that I could draw upon it to a degree, and I turned to study it, yet only in a peripheral manner. In my subsequent dealings with Ajan, I did not receive any warning against this, beyond a vague sense that doing so might have consequences one day. I fully intended to meet them, when they were revealed to me.
01[22:35] <Seira> Finally, it was as I was granted a rare audience with my patron deity, Waukeen, I asked to become her servant on Prime, her avatar in all matters, and after asking me if I was certain of this, she had transformed me in some way I do not truly grasp as of yet. Waukeen told me it was the first step, and that the process would be complete, once I sought out the red dragons of Astral.
01[22:35] <Seira> Even to this day, I am not certain how Ajan's shared power is related to another plane, and I find myself eager to learn the truth behind this situation."
[22:38] <Kotono> Valin listens with infinite patience, a draconic smirk of teeth and fire by the end. "Your soul was forfiet...but it seems that Waukeen deigned to spare you. Amusing that she would interfere in a binding, mutual agreement."
01[22:41] <Seira> "She likes me. It might be because I like her back," Seira responds honestly. "This is the sense I've gotten. Despite the restrictions placed on our world, she was always there just out of sight, yet constantly aiding those who need her, including myself." She pauses, before asking the key question here,
01[22:41] <Seira> "Excuse me, but why would my soul be forfeit? Was the pact not based on... it might be foolish of me, but I saw it much like a magely apprenticeship."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Nothing at all? Hah." The dragon chortles loudly, "Then again, perhaps Ajan wanted someone who could survive this long."
01[22:48] <Seira> "At another opportunity, when I asked him to break a curse on me, he demanded serving him for a certain duration to help him find an out of the way lair," Seira volunteers. "I felt the terms we agreed upon as we entered that bargain were straight and to the point.
01[22:48] <Seira> It never occured to me that a loophole might have been present from the very start of my dealings with Ajan." Seira hesitates. "Well, no. I doubt everyone. But this never occured to me in any serious manner."
[22:49] <Kotono> The dragon smiles now, all teeth. "Tell me, how is Ajan doing this millenia?"
01[22:50] <Seira> "He's actually pretty unhappy and sour," Seira admits. "And I don't need to be some sort of genius to guess that he, too, came from this place once upon a time?"
[22:51] <Kotono> "He did far more. Ajan created it." With it's own dire amusement, "Long ago, even for a dragon. Before he forsook everything he made here for his own purposes."
01[22:53] <Seira> Wow, he's really, really old. Seira very carefully doesn't say this. "There was a great war on Prime, between the gods united and a an aspirant mage-king. He took the side of the gods, from what limited information available to us after all those millennia. I wouldn't know if that was his reason for venturing into Prime, unfortunately."
[22:55] <Kotono> "Heheheheheheh. Long ago, Ajan proposed that even dragons were inferior to the spirits of mortal kind, the outsiders. He theorized that the soul was the ultimate form of power and that even the Gods were ultimately only extrodinarly powerful outsiders. Yes, he would have involved himself in that."
06[22:58] * Seira quirks a smile at that. "I find this ironic, I admit. He called the dragons superior beings. To have him change his mind so completely is a bit shocking, but I suppose given the millennia...." She finds herself trailing off.
[23:00] <Kotono> "Indeed. What will your fate be then, Seira? What do you seek here?"
01[23:04] <Seira> "In the short term, I seek power. The power to oppose those who would dare threaten our world and way of life. Liches and fiends, banding together to strike cowardly in the night, those whose greatest wish is to slay innocent children incapable of resisting en masse." (more)
01[23:04] <Seira> Anger seeps into Seira's voice, but she keeps it as cool and respectful as she is able, given her company and the situation she is in. "A dragon in Waukeen's service can oppose them on even grounds, I am certain, and drive off their unwelcome blight." (more)
01[23:05] <Seira> She pauses once more, suddenly reflective. "After that... I believe that dragons are supreme, majestic beings. And I believe in a concept the mortal lands have, of noblesse oblige. Privelege entails responsibility, and dragons are among the top of the priveleged. I wish to shoulder that responsibility properly."
[23:06] <Kotono> "Your words mean nothing to us. We are red dragons...you speak like a gold or a silver dragon! What worth are you to us? What worth are we to you?" Valin challenges right back, leaning in to be nearly face to face, Seira's vision consumed with his draconic head.
01[23:12] <Seira> "Ah, now I understand," Seira responds, unmoved by the draconic head consuming her field of vision. She had faced far more terrible things. Losing Amaryl will forever remain at the top. After experiencing that.... "Some things, I don't yet understand, so I might not sound like a proper red dragon. But those come with age, and I will acquire them!" Seira states firmly.
01[23:12] <Seira> "What I need is the power to crush my opposition! Your worth, to me, is so I could meet Pale Night's challenge head on, as is proper! In return... the maker of this place brought me into the fold. The goddess of contracts broke a contract in my defense. I'm not a bystander. I'm not some castaway. I'm always on the front lines, and I always prevail, growing ever stronger and richer!"

[Corwin]

[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> <Seira> "In the short term, I seek power. The power to oppose those who would dare threaten our world and way of life. Liches and fiends, banding together to strike cowardly in the night, those whose greatest wish is to slay innocent children incapable of resisting en masse." (more)
[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> <Seira> Anger seeps into Seira's voice, but she keeps it as cool and respectful as she is able, given her company and the situation she is in. "A dragon in Waukeen's service can oppose them on even grounds, I am certain, and drive off their unwelcome blight." (more)
[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> <Seira> She pauses once more, suddenly reflective. "After that... I believe that dragons are supreme, majestic beings. And I believe in a concept the mortal lands have, of noblesse oblige. Privelege entails responsibility, and dragons are among the top of the priveleged. I wish to shoulder that responsibility properly."
[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> > "Your words mean nothing to us. We are red dragons...you speak like a gold or a silver dragon! What worth are you to us? What worth are we to you?" Valin challenges right back, leaning in to be nearly face to face, Seira's vision consumed with his draconic head.
[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> <Seira> "Ah, now I understand," Seira responds, unmoved by the draconic head consuming her field of vision. She had faced far more terrible things. Losing Amaryl will forever remain at the top. After experiencing that.... "Some things, I don't yet understand, so I might not sound like a proper red dragon. But those come with age, and I will acquire them!" Seira states firmly.
[19:37] <Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells> <Seira> "What I need is the power to crush my opposition! Your worth, to me, is so I could meet Pale Night's challenge head on, as is proper! In return... the maker of this place brought me into the fold. The goddess of contracts broke a contract in my defense. I'm not a bystander. I'm not some castaway. I'm always on the front lines, and I always prevail, growing ever stronger and richer!"
03[19:37] * Corwin is now known as Seira
03[19:38] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
03[19:39] * Ko-IndarknessNitoridwells is now known as Kotono
03[19:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
[19:40] <Kotono> "So you want power? The ability to lay your enemies low and feast on the lamentations they cry out?" Valin's great maw crackles with flames, licking against Seira's body. "Now that I understand. What will you do to possess might, Seira?"
[19:43] <Seira> "What I must, short of selling my soul or my allies. Such things are beneath me," she states in disdain. "That's what the petitioners of demons do, weak in body and spirit."
[19:48] <Kotono> "Then you..." Valin glides 20 feet back, still mammoth and gigantic against the backdrop of the Silver Sea aflame. "One on one. If you are a dragon, you can survive this and are worthy of attention! If not, burn in the ashes of history forever!"
02[19:50] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[19:50] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[19:50] <Kotono> "Then you..." Valin glides 20 feet back, still mammoth and gigantic against the backdrop of the Silver Sea aflame. "One on one. If you are a dragon, you can survive this and are worthy of attention! If not, burn in the ashes of history forever!"
03[19:51] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[19:52] <Seira> "A duel?" Seira asks, as there had been enough misunderstandings that day already. "To surrender or death?"
[19:54] <Kotono> "Surrender," He agrees, "Tell your second to get out of way, lest she burn away."
06[19:54] * Seira gives Amaryl her most reassuring smile, nodding at her.
[19:55] <Kotono> Amaryl takes a breath, smiles to SEira and flies back and out of the way. At that, Valin is coming right at you! OOC: Roll init.
[19:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
06[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9." [1d20=4]
03[19:56] * Corwin7 (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[19:56] <Kotono> Amaryl takes a breath, smiles to SEira and flies back and out of the way. At that, Valin is coming right at you! OOC: Roll init.
[19:56] <Kotono> > roll 1d20+5
[19:56] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9." [1d20=4]
02[19:57] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Corwin7))
03[19:57] * Corwin7 is now known as Seira
03[19:57] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[19:57] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
06[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 7." [1d20=1]
[19:57] <Seira> roll 1d20 L
06[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 L and gets 18." [1d20=18]
03[19:58] * Kotono changes topic to 'Lagann>Valin>Seira'
[19:58] <Kotono> OOC: Open Lagann. Terrible luck.
[19:59] <Seira> OOC: Lagann will hold. And wonder why he didn't use nerveskitter on me.
[20:00] <Kotono> Valin looms over Seira, maw going for her to bite her apart!
[20:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26 (+2 charge, -10 PA)
06[20:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 (+2 charge, -10 PA) and gets 44." [1d20=18]
[20:01] <Kotono> roll 2d8+21
06[20:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+21 and gets 25." [2d8=1, 3]
[20:01] <Kotono> Seira's body is grazed by the dragon's razor sharp teeth, a few little trills of blood trickling down her obdy! She's able to evade the worst, rolling back with the overwhelming force of the bite! OOC: Seira.
02[20:05] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Broken pipe)
03[20:06] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[20:06] <Seira> Seira's eyes widen despite herself at the unexpectedly swift attack, and she dodges back, firing off a pair of rays designed to halt the dragon in its tracks, even as a powerful orb of cold boosted to the top of her ability seeks out her opponent! While destined to wound it, Seira is actually betting on Valin to take precautions against the cold, while she begins to execute her real plan.
[20:07] <Seira> OOC: Tumbling back and away, twinned ray of dizziness, maximized empowered orb of cold/impromptu SA
[20:08] <Seira> roll 2#1d20+18 SR for ray of dizziness
06[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2#1d20+18 SR for ray of dizziness and gets 55." [2#1d20+18 = 33, 22]
[20:08] <Kotono> OOC: One success on the ray.
[20:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+20 ranged touch
06[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 ranged touch and gets 29." [1d20=9]
[20:09] <Seira> OOC: Valin's limited to a standard or a move action per round for 18 rounds
[20:09] <Seira> roll 1d20+20 ranged attack, flat footed
06[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 ranged attack, flat footed and gets 27." [1d20=7]
[20:09] <Seira> roll 90+5d8 cold
06[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 90+5d8 cold and gets 111." [5d8=1, 7, 7, 1, 5]
[20:11] <Kotono> Between ice ray and dizzy ray, Valin wobbles in the air! His majestic wings are at the wrong angles, his head shaken back and forth, "What...manner..." OOC: Lagann?
[20:12] <Seira> OOC: Lagann is still holding
[20:13] <Seira> "I'm honoring you by not holding back," Seira tells Valin, eyeing the dragon while maintaining her defensive stance in the sea of nothingness.
[20:15] <Kotono> "Gh..!" The dragon continues to try and right itself, "Ajan wouldn't send a weakling. Bastard." The dragon shakes it's head in ane ntirely human gesture, "Power enough. Now go ahead before I change my mind!"
[20:16] <Seira> Figuring that she had proven her worth, here, Seira bows to the dragon and proceeds onwards after waiting for Amaryl to rejoin her side.
[20:17] <Kotono> Amaryl rejoins Seira's side as they fly ahead. "That was wonderful! He didn't know what struck him!"
[20:18] <Seira> "Even though he did manage to strike first," Seira admits with disdain directed towards herself, healing her wounds and then warding her skin against such attacks. "I should have been swifter."
[20:18] <Seira> roll 3d8+15
06[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+15 and gets 25." [3d8=1, 4, 5]
[20:18] <Seira> OOC: Using stoneskin, too
[20:19] <Kotono> "Perhaps, but...why no magic? Magic flows quickly here, and a dragon that big should have some?" Amaryl stops to look back, before flying on with Seira.
[20:21] <Seira> "It's not just the magic," Seira agrees quietly. "He could have mauled me on a charge. Should have, in fact. Either, this is some part of a test, again, or perhaps I'm being lulled into a false sense of security. There's also the possibility of making me run out of my own spells by making me underestimate the dangers. I really can't come up with a favorable idea."
[20:23] <Kotono> "Then we'll just have to do the best we can," Amaryl says as you fly for a time. How long Seira knows now...but it gets warmer. The heat grows around you, the air starting to shimmer-twist with waves of boiling air. Amaryl stops, wiping her brow, "Seira, the heat is getting unbearable..."
[20:26] <Seira> "Wait for me here, then?" Seira suggests. "If it's yet another dragon, once it lets us pass you'll be able to catch up by heading towards me.
03[20:34] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-54456f9c.lns6-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:35] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:37] <Kotono> Amaryl nods, "Seira, be careful. I know, I know, I keep saying that, but..." With a weak smile that doesn't last long, "If it's not liches and demons, it's dragons."
03[20:38] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
06[20:40] * Seira takes the warning to heart, casting keen edge on the Resort, and Shield upon her person. If it expires before she reaches her goal, that's just too bad. "Dragons can stand up to the other two," she responds with a slight smile of her own. "I'll show those bastards they shouldn't have messed with us." And with those words, she's ready to proceed towards her next test.
[20:45] <Kotono> Thus Seira flies along for a time! How long she flies is unknown, but the Silver Sea catches fully aflame! AS if she stepped into the firest pits of Avernus itself, the entire air burning! Ahead, a single pair of vast red eyes can be seen in the bonfires all around you, watching.
06[20:47] * Seira heads straight towards those eyes, not showing any fear or reservation. A strange realization overtakes Seira, as she understands that she doesn't feel those things, either. Her mind is focused on making her way to the goal, occupied with the best method to deal with every obstacle along her way, but what it decidedly lacks are thoughts of retreat or defeat.
[20:50] <Kotono> The eyes stay at the same distance from you as you advance, the flames roaring higher. The Astral is gone - all about you is flame. Fire burns in it's most intense way, yet not a bit of it damages Seira. From the flames, "I am Inferno. I have been given eternity to craft the answer to a single question: What is the destiny of dragonkind?"
02[20:56] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54456f9c.lns6-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net atarians.dejatoons.net)
02[20:56] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) Quit (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net atarians.dejatoons.net)
03[20:56] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-54456f9c.lns6-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:56] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
03[20:56] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:58] <Seira> "I'm Seira, and I did not have an eternity to contemplate that, but my answer right now start with 'to acquire wealth and power'," she says, hovering inside the crackling fire. "That pursuit is the means through which this destiny will be revealed, I believe. And above all, we are to forge it ourselves, whatever our destiny might be. It is something we must seize for ourselves, and not receive handed down from others."
[21:01] <Kotono> The flames sear hotter around Seira! Her vision is nothing but fire, her body bathed in fire! "You speak as a dragon should. How large is your horde?"
06[21:07] * Seira is forced to consider this question for a bit. "My actual, dedicated horde is slightly under fifteen thousand gold in worth, kept safe in a dedicated lair. That is, however, because most of my funds are put towards securing more of it, all three hundred thousand of them invested into the power side of the equation." It is as accurate an account of her finances as possible, since putting a price on artifacts is pointless.
[21:09] <Kotono> "A fascinating reply." Inferno rumbles, as his eyes vanish. Ahead lies a path of fire, leaindg Seira onward, "What you seek is ahead. Only Tiamat knows if you are able to grasp it without failing, dragonling."
[21:11] <Seira> Waukeen has confidence in her, and Seira never had any issues with Tiamat, either. "Thank you," she says, politeness costing her nothing, and proceeds onwards through the path made for her.
[21:14] <Kotono> How long does Seira fly? She doesn't know. Her magic crumbles away from her, the times seeming to pass, sufficient to elapse the magic already cast. Her mind hazes over with the walk through the Inferno of the Silver Sea, lost into itself. She dreams of fire and chaos, of burning destruction all around her. Within the chambers of her deepest heart, eyes drooping shut, "What are you, crossbreed? A bastard child of human and elf, desperately
[21:15] <Kotono>  eyes drooping shut, "What are you, crossbreed? A bastard child of human and elf, desperately seeking to be neither." OOC: The various spells you ahve cast have elapsed.
[21:18] <Seira> "I want to be a dragon, that is true. But I'm not forsaking my heritage," Seira responds out loud, believing the everpresent voice to be capable of hearing her. "Instead, it is that heritage of human and elf that I will use to bring out my utmost potential as a dragon!" Her face twists. "Also, I'm not a bastard child. My parents were properly married."
[21:21] <Kotono> Seira feels her body burn, sizzling away. It hurts so much, but at the same time, the pain is a distant imitation of real agony. "Only a true dragon is a superior being! Halfbreeds have no place in true dragon-kind! What good is only half a dragon and half of a lesser species?"
[21:25] <Seira> "The greatest of the red dragons is trapped as a guardian for the prison of the gods!" Seira calls back. "I will surpass that! I'll draw on my nature to know when to gamble, when another dragon would be hesitent with their hoard. I'll pause and think things through when a lesser red dragon might charge in and lose a battle that did not have to be lost. What kind of superior being would I be if I fell to stagnation? If I were happy with my lot as a true dragon
[21:26] <Seira> If I were happy with my lot as a true dragon and ceased improving, forgot all the lessons I have painstalkingly learnt to get me that far?"
[21:32] <Kotono> "Ambition burns brightly within you." Seira's eyes open. She stands atop a cliff, a clifface above a vast canyon-valley. Far below a ribbon of red runs, endless magma glimpsed. Alla round her the Silver Sea burns, and in the air ahead of her...dozens...no...hundreds of red dragons! The attention of all are on Seira, yet one dominates. This one is beyond gigantic, dwarfing a metropolis in size. It's head is as large as Balmuria's old city,
[21:33] <Kotono> This one is beyond gigantic, dwarfing a metropolis in size. It's head is as large as Balmuria's old city, eyes the size of giants nothing but a single roaring mote of flame in each. "You have come willingly to us, after escaping with your soul intact?"
03[21:34] * Corwin7 (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[21:35] <Kotono> "Ambition burns brightly within you." Seira's eyes open. She stands atop a cliff, a clifface above a vast canyon-valley. Far below a ribbon of red runs, endless magma glimpsed. Alla round her the Silver Sea burns, and in the air ahead of her...dozens...no...hundreds of red dragons! The attention of all are on Seira, yet one dominates. This one is beyond gigantic, dwarfing a metropolis in size. It's head is as large as Balmuria's old city,
[21:35] <Kotono> It's head is as large as Balmuria's old city, eyes the size of giants nothing but a single roaring mote of flame in each. "You have come willingly to us, after escaping with your soul intact?"
02[21:35] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Corwin7))
03[21:35] * Corwin7 is now known as Seira
[21:35] <Seira> "Yes," Seira responds, waiting to see what the truly massive dragon wishes to say next.
[21:37] <Kotono> "Ajan chose well. What greed burns in this little elf-child! What raw need for power! What ambition!" The dragon laughs, as if all the heat in Hell were cascading around and out of it. Seira feels the heat melt her flesh away, her bones turning to slag...or is that just her mind....it's hazy. The heat is unto Lathander's hottest rays, surely, rivalling Kossuth's fury! "Ajan must have thought he glimpsed the spirit of a dragon in you."
[21:37] <Kotono> "Ajan must have thought he glimpsed the spirit of a dragon in you."
[21:42] <Seira> Her greed and ambition are greater than she had admitted even to herself before, Seira had learned on this pilgrimage, but she doesn't shy away from her true nature. Her very being shivers from the shock of having her flesh and bones slowly destroyed as her mind lives on.
[21:45] <Kotono> With another blast of heat, Seira's vision is gone, burning away into void. "But Ajan is locked far away, prisoner of his own hubris and slavery. Why should we not devour your soul now, growing stronger from your ample draconic qualities? It would make a pleasing snack."
02[21:51] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Broken pipe)
03[21:51] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[21:51] <Seira> "I would say that Waukeen would stop you," Seira says, breathing heavily to regulate her breath. She can't tell if she even has a mouth to speak of, but that is irrelevant, since she intends to respond. "That would even be true! But that's not why you should choose differently! You need me, you need what I can become given the chance! That is the only reason I am even being asked rather than outright devoured! You, all of you, you already realize this. And I
[21:53] <Seira>  And I will get there, whatever it takes. I won't stop, and I'll claw my way towards the very top, and then, you'll have the strongest ally you could ever wish! Between that and a mere snack, the choice is not a choice at all!"

[Corwin]

[19:54] <Kotono> <Seira> Her greed and ambition are greater than she had admitted even to herself before, Seira had learned on this pilgrimage, but she doesn't shy away from her true nature. Her very being shivers from the shock of having her flesh and bones slowly destroyed as her mind lives on.
[19:54] <Kotono> > With another blast of heat, Seira's vision is gone, burning away into void. "But Ajan is locked far away, prisoner of his own hubris and slavery. Why should we not devour your soul now, growing stronger from your ample draconic qualities? It would make a pleasing snack."
[19:54] <Kotono> * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Broken pipe)
[19:54] <Kotono> * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[19:54] <Kotono> <Seira> "I would say that Waukeen would stop you," Seira says, breathing heavily to regulate her breath. She can't tell if she even has a mouth to speak of, but that is irrelevant, since she intends to respond. "That would even be true! But that's not why you should choose differently! You need me, you need what I can become given the chance! That is the only reason I am even being asked rather than outright devoured! You, all of you, you
[19:54] <Kotono> <Seira>  And I will get there, whatever it takes. I won't stop, and I'll claw my way towards the very top, and then, you'll have the strongest ally you could ever wish! Between that and a mere snack, the choice is not a choice at all!"
[19:55] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, Seira?
03[19:56] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
[19:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+35
06[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+35 and gets 45." [1d20=10]
03[20:02] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5445ee12.lns4-c13.telh.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:02] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:03] <Kotono> Rumbling fires can be heard - endless crackles of burning, heat buffeting Seira, yet not felt on any body at all. It sears into her spirit, he very conciousness burning in agony. The pain is very real now, her mind overtaken by it. "Offer to us then. Give us tribute and beg for our power then, humanoid child! Plead for the power you crave!"
03[20:05] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:10] <Seira> "Dragons don't beg!" Seira screams, twisting in agony. She can't muster the faculties for a thought-out response, but Ajan's insistence of behaving as a superior being rather than inferior one guides her limited answers. "Ally yourself with me or kill me! The former, you won't regret!"
[20:11] <Kotono> OOC: Make another diplo, +5 bonus?
[20:11] <Seira> OOC: Can I take 10?
[20:11] <Kotono> OOC: If you really want. It's your skin.
[20:14] <Seira> OOC: I'll grab 10 for 50, okay
[20:22] <Kotono> Roaring fury cascades around Seira, mocking laughter. "You want power, dragon?" Abruptly Seira's vision returns. She stands intact, atop the cliff over the vast chasm below. The Silver Sea itself burns, shaking as if seized with fury! The dragons ahead of you howl and roar, cascading down into the ribbon of lava seen deep! Down and down they go, the shaking growing stronger! Only one remains, the vast one who addressed you before. (More)
[20:22] <Kotono> Only one remains, the vast one who addressed you before. (More)
[20:24] <Kotono> From the deep chasm below, the lava rises in a great tornado! IT wraps around the gigantic dragon, mere house and city sized ghostly dragons whirling around his body like armor! "Then prove you are superior! None but dragons have ever withstood my fury! Survive and we shall treat with you, Seira!"
[20:24] <Kotono> OOC: Roll init here.
[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 augh, Lagann uses Nerveskitter on me
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 augh, Lagann uses Nerveskitter on me and gets 17." [1d20=6]
[20:26] <Seira> roll 1d20 L
06[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 L and gets 2." [1d20=2]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22." [1d20=18]
03[20:26] * Kotono changes topic to 'DRAGON OH FUCK DRAGON>Seira>Lagann'
[20:27] <Kotono> The mammoth dragons rears it's head back! In it the heat of the Sun itself is born, cascading into a great gout of flame! It races to Seira, as if to burn her ot the tiniest cinder, engulfing her all over! OOC: Ref save.
[20:27] <Seira> roll 1d20+28
06[20:27] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+28 and gets 34." [1d20=6]
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 24d10 failed the ref, half fire damage and half nontyped.
06[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 24d10 failed the ref, half fire damage and half nontyped. and gets 149." [24d10=10, 1, 8, 4, 3, 8, 1, 10, 9, 8, 6, 10, 8, 3, 9, 9, 3, 4, 5, 5, 4, 9, 2, 10]
[20:31] <Seira> OOC: -6, right
[20:32] <Kotono> Then in a moment, time pauses! Nine dragons dance around, images swirling and twisting together! The dragon's movements are faster, as a black aura surrounds it's body! Seira is buffedeted with pure fire, burning even her as she's caught flat on her feet! The agony is unreal, even as the dragon gathers more fire into it's mouth! OOC: Seira.
[20:33] <Kotono> roll 1d4-1
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4-1 and gets 3." [1d4=4]
02[20:39] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[20:41] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[20:44] <Seira> Seira's mind clears even as she is badly burned, instantly seizing on the dragon's terms. She is to survive, not to win, so that's what she will do. First, she will let Lagann strike at one of the draconic images to test it, and then her plan would be fully formulated.
[20:44] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and go if Seira's holding, Lagann.
03[20:45] * Kotono changes topic to 'DRAGON OH FUCK DRAGON>Lagann>Seria'
03[20:45] * Kotono changes topic to 'DRAGON OH FUCK DRAGON>Lagann>Seira'
[20:45] <Seira> roll 1d20+25 CHARGE
06[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+25 CHARGE and gets 38." [1d20=13]
[20:45] <Seira> roll 1d9
06[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d9 and gets 9." [1d9=9]
[20:45] <Kotono> An image is hacked apart, one impossibly vast dragon down and yet eight remain! OOC: Seira?
06[20:47] * Seira wordlessly sends five ghostly unicorns to their demise, each picking a dragon for itself!
[20:47] <Seira> roll 5#1d20+18 ranged touch
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 5#1d20+18 ranged touch and gets 141." [5#1d20+18 = 27, 24, 28, 26, 36]
[20:47] <Seira> roll 1d8
[20:47] <Kotono> OOC: All hit touch AC, roll dice for each one to see if they get an image.
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 and gets 1." [1d8=1]
[20:47] <Kotono> OOC: SNerk.
[20:47] <Seira> roll 1d8+8
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8+8 and gets 10." [1d8=2]
[20:48] <Seira> OOC: Sec
06[20:49] * Seira instantly sends an empowered orb of cold on the heels of the unicorn that found the correct target, before falling back twenty feet!
[20:49] <Seira> roll 1d20+18
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[20:49] <Seira> roll 1.5*15d6 cold, fort dc26
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1.5*15d6 cold, fort dc26 and gets 82.5." [15d6=1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 1, 6, 5, 6, 4, 1, 4, 5, 1, 6]
[20:52] <Kotono> The unicorn and orb slam into the dragon! It's massive frame doesn't even twitch at the blows, it's head snaking forward to Seira! As it goes to bite down, "Impressive bravery to ignore your defense and strike at me instead! Your tombstone will brag of it!"
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (-20 PA)
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 (-20 PA) and gets 38." [1d20=9]
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[20:53] <Seira> OOC: Not that
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 4d8+37 owwies
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+37 owwies and gets 52." [4d8=7, 1, 6, 1]
[20:54] <Kotono> Seira is taken into that mouth, bitten and chewed! She has to slip between two teeth, bleeding immensly as she dives out of the dragon's maw before it closes tighter for another, likely fatal, bite! Her vision swims, even as the dragon sends a strange wobbling ray at Seira!
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+32 ranged touch
06[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+32 ranged touch and gets 42." [1d20=10]
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: Ray of dizziness. One standard or move action per round. Lagann's up.
[20:56] <Seira> Lagann proceeds to eliminate the massive dragon's images!
[20:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+23
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+23 and gets 34." [1d20=11]
[20:56] <Seira> roll 1d4
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4 and gets 2." [1d4=2]
[20:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+18
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 and gets 29." [1d20=11]
[20:56] <Seira> roll 1d3
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d3 and gets 1." [1d3=1]
[20:56] <Kotono> OOC: Doesn't hit his AC.
[20:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21." [1d20=8]
[20:56] <Seira> OOC: Minus another image
[20:57] <Seira> Even as he finds Seira's target for her, Lagann cloaks Seira under invisibility!
[21:03] <Seira> "With all my spells brought down in preparation?" Seira can't resist but ask incredulously. "If you had wanted to test my magical defenses, you shouldn't have stripped them prior to granting me this audience!" But it's all a test, and even one where she is not expected to best her opponent.
[21:03] <Seira> Still, her original tactic of forcing the opponent on the defensive by using cold has failed, so Seira falls back for two hundred feet, banking right for another fifty afterwards, watching the dragon's action and whether it's tracking her with its eyes. A lesser globe of invulnerability is her chosen defense this time around.
[21:12] <Kotono> The dragon's eyes don't track. Instead it's eyes abruptly glow, as it looks around and then spots Seira! With eyes narrowing, "Goodbye, dragonling!" It says, as a storm of fire erupts around Seira! OOC: Ref.
[21:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+22
06[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 and gets 31." [1d20=9]
[21:14] <Kotono> Yet Seira soars up and over the fire storm, avoiding the super-hot fires and the agony they would inflict! Despite the agony she retains her reason, her body obeying commands even to the last! OOC: Lagann.
[21:19] <Seira> Well, this is unfortunate. Seira no longer has the means to actually take the dragon down. If he can see her, she has effectively lost her chance to wear him down with a horde of summoned unicorns, and Seira doesn't have anything else left that could allow her to even survive for long, much less take down such an opponent, as even luck has its limits. Not that she had any so far, of course.
[21:19] <Seira> "So how long am I to survive before I am acknowledged?" Seira calls out to her opponent. "I'm under no illusions that I could take you down. At present, I estimate my powers to equal an old dragon, perhaps even a wyrm on a truly good day, but anything past that is merely wishful thinking."
[21:19] <Seira> OOC: Lagann will wait on me
[21:22] <Kotono> At this the vast dragon stares, teeth on display as it...smiles? "You're still talking? Three strikes and you live! You are not some sniveling weakling humanoid, lusting after power they cannot have."
[21:25] <Seira> "I'm not stupid," Seira says, shrugging. "I could not possibly take you down even at full strength. I'm hardly at that point. My plan was to try and trick you into certain courses of action to take control of the battlefield, but both such attempts were either seen through or fell apart due to a bit of atrocious luck. Whichever the reason may be, I don't know, but it seems clear to me that winning does not have to come through beating you in a martial or magi
[21:26] <Seira> beating you in a martial or magical contest."
[21:27] <Kotono> "You had no chance. Mere trickery will not fool another dragon easily." The ghost dragons spin around the vast one, as he regards Seira. "Perhaps I will make an investment in you. If I give you power, what will you do with it?"
[21:30] <Seira> Perhaps she was too naive, but the hope of seeing her spells form up just right was just too alluring. "Pale Night and a cabal of ancient liches picked a fight with me. I'll take the fight back to them, all the way into Pale Night's abode. But first, there is an uppity balor who presumes too much. I will crush his bones into powder and take everything of value he has for myself." Seira pauses briefly. "This would be my plan for the next two months."
[21:32] <Kotono> "I will grant you an inkling of power. In return, you shall pay me tribute. When this balor is slain, you will bring me a quarter of his riches. If you have satisfactorily impressed me at that time, we will continue ahead."
06[21:35] * Seira would be indignant if she weren't being beaten like a drum. She might have achieved a semblance of parity, attack-wise, but she can't really take another attack and the dragon doesn't even seem troubled by hers. "What am I to do to impress you further?" she asks instead, businesslike.
[21:37] <Kotono> "Naturally, the amount of treasure you bring back to me from the balor," With a toothy dragon-smile, "My horde must grow bigger."
[21:38] <Seira> "I better hope that he frantically increases it before his untimely death, then," Seira agrees, allowing herself to show a smile of her own.
[21:39] <Kotono> "Then choose what you desire: Draconic Might, Draconic Energy or Draconic Magic."  The great red wyrm asks. "What power do you fancy, dragon?"
02[21:45] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[21:45] * Seira (~cor@193.254.233.38) has joined #evildunes
[21:45] <Kotono> "Then choose what you desire: Draconic Might, Draconic Energy or Draconic Magic."  The great red wyrm asks. "What power do you fancy, dragon?"
[21:48] <Seira> "Might," Seira responds after thinking it through for a while. Magic is key, but Might is where she finds herself lacking the most, and it makes sense to eliminate any weaknesses before working on polishing her strengths.
[21:56] <Kotono> With that, ghostly dragons race around Seira! The fire burning with in her grows hotter!
[21:58] <Seira> Fierier fire is not what she expected when she made that choice, though Seira can hardly argue, burning merrily!
[21:59] <Kotono> "Go then. Return with the balor's treasure!" With that Seira finds herself standing besides Amaryl, the latter waiting and looking ahead.
[22:00] <Seira> "Sorry to keep you waiting," Seira says nonchalantly. She would topple over, but her inner fire keeps her upright even when her body wants to give out.
[22:01] <Kotono> "Seira!" With a yelp, "You're...you're hurt! Badly!"
[22:01] <Seira> "Yes! I fought a great wyrm and he bit me in half! Twice!"
[22:02] <Kotono> "Let's return to Balmuria and get you healed!" Looking Seira over with wide eyes, "You're about to drop over!"
[22:03] <Seira> "Mmm. Yes. Arrogance only gets you so far. But get far I did!" Seira states proudly, recovering slightly before she is ready to return.
[22:04] <Seira> roll 2d8+10
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d8+10 and gets 16." [2d8=2, 4]
[22:06] <Seira> "Right then. We so need a cheaper way to travel," Seira says once that is done, retrieving a scroll while giving Amaryl a loaf of bread. "We'll probably be tired as is upon return, but no need to collapse entirely from exhaustion if we're somewhere we can't fend for ourselves." She's not too worried, however, given Lagann's presence.
[22:07] <Seira> roll 2d8+5
06[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d8+5 and gets 14." [2d8=6, 3]
[22:07] <Kotono> Amaryl works throughthe loaf of bread, "As long as we can manage the teleport back to Balmuria we should be okay."
06[22:08] * Seira hands Amaryl the teleportation ring, at that. "If we remain conscious long enough, it should do the trick. Whenever you're ready?"
[22:08] <Kotono> "Ready," Amaryl says, ring in hand!
06[22:09] * Seira invokes Heroism once more with the help of a pearl, and then concentrates on the scroll in her hands.
[22:09] <Seira> roll 2#1d20+30
06[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2#1d20+30 and gets 79." [2#1d20+30 = 45, 34]
[22:09] <Seira> OOC: Plane shift home
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 5d100
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 191." [5d100=24, 11, 42, 56, 58]
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 5." [1d9=5]
[22:11] <Kotono> Exhaustion licks at the two women are you appear in the night's caress. It's dark here, the air cold and windy. Around you the shadows of rising mountains loom all about! Amaryl sags, "...think I can make it..." she says.
[22:12] <Seira> "Aim for home," Seira suggests, ready to defend them until they arrive safely, exhaustion be damned.
[22:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 11." [1d100=11]
[22:12] <Kotono> Woosh! The two of you appear in your bed. Amaryl immediately sits down like a ton of bricks, falling back.
06[22:13] * Seira leans back, dropping down beside Amaryl. "Lagann, wake us if there's an apocalypse,
06[22:13] * Seira leans back, dropping down beside Amaryl. "Lagann, wake us if there's an apocalypse," she bids tiredly, intending to rest and rest....

[Corwin]

[21:03] <Kotono> ---
[21:09] <Kotono> Thus drawing the circle and creating the proper words of power, Seira invokes the magic to draw Agathaiel into this world! Amaryl and Donald stand back and watch the magic, as a ray of light arches from the heavens! In golden glow Agathaiel appears, the magic circle glowing against her. "You have summoned me, Seira. What matter of business does this require?"
[21:10] <Seira> "Hello," Seira greets the deva. "I recently received a suggestion that appealed to me. Among the things I wanted to talk to you about, it would be first. Would you like to work with me and my friends on a closer basis, without the need to be summoned for every specific task?"
[21:13] <Kotono> "A more permanent contract?" she asks right back, her hands rippling against the barriers of the circle's magic.
[21:25] <Seira> "Sorry," Seira says apologetically. "The barrier kind of goes with the territory. Terrible things might happen if I omit it, it's not that I don't trust you or anything like that." Shaking her head, she finally addresses the question. "Yes, although I would prefer to see you as a friend and ally rather than a hired hand, as such. What do you think?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "My duties are what Waukeen wills for me," Agathaiel says this as golden light gently presses against the circle, "A contract is a fine form of friendship for me. A contract brings glory to Waukeen."
[21:31] <Seira> Outsiders are weird, even the nicest ones. Seira tilts her head. "I'll take your word for it. Maybe, after a while, you'll find it more fun to bring glory to Waukeen by my side than elsewhere." Without pausing, Seira presses on. "Speaking of Waukeen and glory, we tend to get more than our share of rewards in the course of our duties.
[21:31] <Seira> If you were to enter this contract with us, you'll naturally get an equal share to do with as you will, tithe to Waukeen in full, turn it towards projects she would approve of or spend it on setting yourself apart from Waukeen's other servants."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Of course. Reward is the natural consequence of friendship," Agathaiel smiles now, "Friends enrich you in spirit and in money."
06[21:33] * Seira laughs. "So since I seem to have your agreement, what now? I don't think the scope of the spell allows for a partnership of this sort, so do I appeal to Waukeen to have our contract approved?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "A proper contract must be drawn. If you are not trained as such, a priest of Waukeen should be. His name is Gilartal, he should have the requisite training?"
[21:37] <Seira> "Donald, would you mind asking Gilartal for his services?" Seira requests of the neo-elf, before returning her attention to Agathaiel. "Good idea. While we wait, do you mind if I ask you for advice on other matters?"
[21:41] <Kotono> "Sure," Donald grins, "Nice to see you again...o rwait, have I met this one?" scratching at his long ear, "Gah, it's getting to the point where I can't keep the incarnations of good straight. Oh well!" With that Donald hurries off.
[21:41] <Kotono> "If you will draw profit from my words, yes, speak," Agathaiel nods.
[21:44] <Seira> "You have, actually!" Seira calls after Donald, rolling her eyes. "Mmm. I think I will. Amaryl has a beautiful blade, and I was thinking about how nice it would be if she had an armor to match it." She smiles briefly in happiness. "What started as an idle thought, however, grew into more as I realized that she was outgrowing it, and considering our opponents, it is never good to stay behind.
[21:44] <Seira> I remember discussing armors with Latha, once upon a time, and I recall that there are certain designs that the heavens don't usually part with, one of which could fit her quite well. And that 'usually' made me figure that it might just happen, if we tried."
[21:54] <Kotono> "There are. Crafted atop Celestia, wrought in remote hamlets in Elysium, woven of chaos and light in Arborea. To find one with Waukeen's favor, I would trawl and search the roads of trade. Gather information on such and follow the paths that gold flows on. Prove yourself to her and you may find what you seek."
[21:56] <Seira> "Would it demean you to accompany us as a guide and traveling companion?" Seira asks fairly bluntly. "You'll have to excuse me, but I'm not fully up to date on which tasks are demeaning for an astral deva, and which are acceptable requests."
[21:59] <Kotono> "If you are to follow Waukeen's path, I will do so," Agathaiel states simply.
[22:00] <Seira> "Great!" Seira exclaims, smiling. "There's more I wanted to learn from you, but it can easily wait until we've left on our way. It would be pretty exciting to have another point of view on Waukeen's path while on the road!"

[Corwin]

[19:38] <Kotono> ---
[19:38] <Kotono> <Seira> I remember discussing armors with Latha, once upon a time, and I recall that there are certain designs that the heavens don't usually part with, one of which could fit her quite well. And that 'usually' made me figure that it might just happen, if we tried."
[19:38] <Kotono> > "There are. Crafted atop Celestia, wrought in remote hamlets in Elysium, woven of chaos and light in Arborea. To find one with Waukeen's favor, I would trawl and search the roads of trade. Gather information on such and follow the paths that gold flows on. Prove yourself to her and you may find what you seek."
[19:38] <Kotono> <Seira> "Would it demean you to accompany us as a guide and traveling companion?" Seira asks fairly bluntly. "You'll have to excuse me, but I'm not fully up to date on which tasks are demeaning for an astral deva, and which are acceptable requests."
[19:38] <Kotono> > "If you are to follow Waukeen's path, I will do so," Agathaiel states simply.
[19:38] <Kotono> <Seira> "Great!" Seira exclaims, smiling. "There's more I wanted to learn from you, but it can easily wait until we've left on our way. It would be pretty exciting to have another point of view on Waukeen's path while on the road!"
[19:38] <Kotono> "We should begin by taking to the trades of this city. Let us investigate your prospect," Agathaiel says, "If you would remove this circle and barrier?"
06[19:39] * Seira steps on a rune marking the barrier that keeps the deva bound, eliminating the construct. "Of course."
[19:40] <Kotono> The circle flares away, golden lights hining. Agathaiel shifts, becoming a slight, red headed woman wearing rich white robes. "For the moment, allow me to observe your work in Balmuria."
[19:43] <Seira> "I tend to delegate a lot, so I'm... not even sure I have any pressing business to tend to," Seira admits, glancing at Amaryl briefly. "Do I? There's the inn, and it's in very good hands. Abagail is handling Guard business and acting as liason to Elle. The magical research's hit a lull on account of one of the mages involved being abducted by horrible liches, and I can't work on connecting more of the allied cities together until my order of teleportation cir
[19:45] <Seira> until my order of teleportation circle scrolls arrives."
06[19:46] * Seira waits for Amaryl to correct her, even as she offers to Agathaiel, "Of course, if seeing more appeals to you, just pick an aspect of my duties or ventures here, and I'll give you a guided tour."
[19:47] <Kotono> "Everyone's tied up with the Dark Six," Amaryl murmurs back.
[19:48] <Kotono> Agathaiel shakes her head, "No, I mean to allow me to observe your work in Balmuria, pursuing your goal of superior armor. Let me see the workings of the trades here as you do."
[19:50] <Seira> "I think I understand better," Seira responds with a slow nod. "In that case, how about we wait a few minutes for Gilartal to arrive? Once we've settled the contract, I'll take us to Waukeen's realm to start working on that goal."
[19:59] <Kotono> OOC: What's your plan now? Have Gil draw up a contract then...?
[20:00] <Seira> OOC: She suggested that Waukeen's realm might hold either such armors or ways to craft them. I'll plane shift there with her and Amaryl to ask.
[20:00] <Seira> OOC: She actually suggested any celestial realm might, but I don't want to go to other places unless I have to
03[20:01] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-544750d2.wfd87a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:01] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:28] <Kotono> Thus Gilartal gets to work. After abouta half day you meet in his private quarters. He looks sleepy, sipping tea as he presents a several page document to Seira, neatly scribed in ink. Agathaiel is nearby. "This is it. Read it and make sure the terms are acceptable for you."
03[20:29] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
06[20:35] * Seira reads through it while allowing Agathaiel to look over her shoulder rather than wait her turn, if she so wishes.
[20:37] <Kotono> OOC: Make an int check, by the by?
[20:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 29." [1d20=16]
[20:41] <Kotono> It's a fairly complex legal document, but Seira can hash it out without trouble. It's essentially pledging service in the name of Waukeen in exchange for gold, wealth and other such considerations. It sets a normal share structure, and encourages both parties to glorify Her name.
[20:42] <Seira> It's overly complex, but if this is the way one befriends an astral deva like her, Seira is quite willing to put in the extra effort. "Looks solid and comprehensive," she comments, giving Gilartal a grateful smile. "You're satisfied with this as well, Agathaiel?"
[20:44] <Kotono> "I am." She nods, "The contract is to my liking."
06[20:44] * Seira is the first to put her name upon it, further sealing the contract with her arcane mark.
[20:46] <Kotono> Agathaiel approaches, one finger running down the middle finger of her opposite hand. In golden blood she signs in Celestial, the wound fading away a few moments after. "Now then, shall we proceed?"
[20:48] <Seira> "Since my goal is fairly open-ended, I don't have a particular starting point," Seira responds to her. "If you could take myself and Amaryl towards a well-traveled marketplace on the right plane, however, we should be able to proceed from there."
[20:49] <Kotono> "We should start with home, here," Gesturing about, "It may deal mostly in mundanity, but Waukeen will provide in time, be it in coin, information or other help. Our path may well take us beyond this world, but in the fullness of profit and time."
06[20:51] * Seira pauses. "Now I think I understand. You believe we should first look here, on Prime? I'm not certain how to go about it, however, since I believe I would know if someone was in possession of such an armor and willing to part with it."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Let us ask around first? Information is one of the greatest keys ot profit," Agathaiel says, "Allow me to watch as you search for information about in Balmuria?"
06[20:55] * Seira consider the suggestion. "It is true that we have become one of the premier hubs of trade and travel in the world, and with traders and caravans travels information," she admits. "Very well. In that case...." Seira looks at Gilartal. "Before I turn towards other sources, such as the elven trading post or the harbor, is it possible to find out whether there have been any rumors of exceptional armors or smiths right here, at the church's promenade?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "It's simple enough to find out." Gilartal nods slightly, "I'll send a few acolytes and servants to get the latest appraisal; I have not heard today's since I was involved in this contract."
06[20:56] * Seira nods. "I will return after touring the city, then, if it is acceptable?"
[20:59] <Kotono> "It won't take long, I get reports every day, if you care to wait first," he says, "No more than a half of an hour."
[20:59] <Seira> "Might as well," Seira agrees.
[21:00] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahea dand make a GI check with a +15 bonus, Seira, to simulate this?
[21:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+27 okay
06[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 okay and gets 28." [1d20=1]
[21:05] <Kotono> Soon Gilartal has the information in question. "Aye, here we go,"  he murmurs, "There's a few good blacksmiths in the city these days - most of them work for the Guard and take out secondary contracts. There's some good work being done in Gond's temple. Far to the north in Armasea there's a well renowned blacksmith getting a good name for himself. As for armors? A merchant's been passing around a story that he let a rare armor slip through
[21:06] <Kotono>  A merchant's been passing around a story that he let a rare armor slip through his hands recently."
06[21:06] * Seira perks up at the last mention. "Any notion where it took place, or in which way the armor was rare?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "I have his name: Jarn, he's staying at the Dawn Pointe Inn," Gilartal answers, "You can pursue it face to face - I'd hurry, he has a reputation as an evening drunk."
[21:12] <Seira> "I'll chase down what information I can here, before teleporting elsewhere," Seira decides. "My thanks. Jarn, then, and a visit to Gond's temple afterwards."
[21:16] <Kotono> Thus the three leave! As they walk out into the afternoon chill in the Promenade, "Two months," Amaryl says aloud, "A little less now."
[21:17] <Seira> "I think we'll manage to find something for you in that time," Seira voices, a bit taken off guard by the sudden change of topic. "You've more than proven your offensive abilities, but I still can't help but worry about your defense."
[21:21] <Kotono> "Yes." Amaryl blows out a frosty breath that lingers in the air, "Yes, I know. But only two months! That's barely any time at all to me, even at the insane pace we scurry about on."
[21:25] <Seira> "Unfortunately, our enemies are the ones to dictate the pace?" Seira responds with regret, after fishing for a suitable response. "I can enjoy just relaxing for a while, but mostly my outlook on time is different from yours. I wonder if living through a century would change me?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "You are still young?" Agathaiel walks on Seira's other side, as you pass by a few merchants carrying a box full of what looks to be covered salt. "Time is the greastest teacher of patience."
[21:28] <Seira> "Patience, I've got in spades, when I need it," Seira voices. "It's more that I feel antsy to be sitting and waiting when there're things I could be doing."
[21:32] <Kotono> "When the time is right, decisive action is important. But rushing is folly," Amaryl shakes her head, "Everyone in Balmuria always seems to be in such a hurry. That's all."
[21:33] <Kotono> "All the better that they have energy to pursue Waukeen's gifts of wealth. Proper ambition is one of her gifts, too," Agathaiel says brightly, voice rising. "These virtues are not mutually excusive."
06[21:34] * Seira taps her lips thoughtfully. "And sometimes, it's just more fun that way. Chasing you wasn't folly, rush though it might have been."
[21:37] <Kotono> You walk along. The sky is getting cloudy, heavier, darker clouds rolling in. As you come closer to the inn, "Tymora protects the brave and the bold. She too resides in Brightwater, and Her lessons are wise as well." Agathaiel takes a momentary glance at the sky.
[21:40] <Kotono> With a blush creeping up, "It...well, it worked out." Amaryl eeps.
06[21:41] * Seira laughs, closing the rest of the distance and holding the door to the inn open for Amaryl and Agathaiel to enter before her.
[21:48] <Kotono> Just inside, you find a skinny man with a big red nose waiting at the front desk, whichi s currently unoccupied. He scowls, wearing clean clothes and with his arms crossed.
[21:50] <Seira> It's just as well they don't across the hostess that doesn't like her. Seira approaches the man, asking rather easily, "Anything wrong?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Yeah, I've been waiting twenty minutes," he grouses, "Of all the miserable luck!"
[21:53] <Seira> He wouldn't be doing that if he picked the right inn, but Seira instead offers, "The wait can be made more pleasant. How about a round of drinks? My treat."
[21:55] <Kotono> "Oh, now you're talking," With a grin, "Nice to..." he eyes Seira and then blinks, "Wait...wait, wait. You look..."
[21:56] <Seira> "Like a dragon? Thanks, I get that a lot. My name is Seira. How do you do?"
[21:58] <Kotono> "Oh...of the Crimson Guard?!" He gawks openly now, "I-I'm honored!"

[Corwin]

[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> > With a blush creeping up, "It...well, it worked out." Amaryl eeps.
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> * Seira laughs, closing the rest of the distance and holding the door to the inn open for Amaryl and Agathaiel to enter before her.
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> > Just inside, you find a skinny man with a big red nose waiting at the front desk, whichi s currently unoccupied. He scowls, wearing clean clothes and with his arms crossed.
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> <Seira> It's just as well they don't across the hostess that doesn't like her. Seira approaches the man, asking rather easily, "Anything wrong?"
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> > "Yeah, I've been waiting twenty minutes," he grouses, "Of all the miserable luck!"
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> <Seira> He wouldn't be doing that if he picked the right inn, but Seira instead offers, "The wait can be made more pleasant. How about a round of drinks? My treat."
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> > "Oh, now you're talking," With a grin, "Nice to..." he eyes Seira and then blinks, "Wait...wait, wait. You look..."
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> <Seira> "Like a dragon? Thanks, I get that a lot. My name is Seira. How do you do?"
[17:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> > "Oh...of the Crimson Guard?!" He gawks openly now, "I-I'm honored!"
01[17:17] <Seira> "Yes, of the Crimson Guard," she responds. "I'm here on business," Seira confides in the man, as it is hardly a secret, "although not Guard business, at that."
[17:18] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Of course!" A gush of words follow, "Don't let me slow you, ma'am!"He steps aside, "I'm only a humble merchant."
06[17:21] * Seira laughs. "It just so happens that I've recently pondered about the meaning of life," she elaborates, smiling. "Not in the what are we here to do, really, sort of way, but more in the sense of finding balance between rushing towards our goals and making ourselves busy every moment of the day, and just taking the time to relax once in a while.
01[17:21] <Seira> In this case, my business can wait, and showing Balmuria's good side to visitors can easily take precedence. To make a long story short, what would you like to drink?"
[17:37] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "I'm...wow." With a cocky smile now, "Don't mind if I do. But I haven't even introduced myself! Name's Jarn."
[17:38] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> Amaryl ever so slightly smiles to this, but hangs back.
01[17:39] <Seira> "Unbelievable," Seira muses, as her smile widens at that. "Why don't you three find us a table, while I get our order?" No one is asking for anything in particular, so she would just improvise with the selection.
[17:40] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> A table is gotten, the group sitting down. Drinks are gotten without incident. As everyone settles in, "I'm Amaryl," Amaryl offers, "Jarn, you're a merchant?"
[17:40] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> Agathaiel maintains a friendly silence, observing.
[17:41] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Uh huh," Jarn smiles to that, "Born and raised. My dad was a merchant and my grandfather was a merchant. My son'll be a merchant, Gods willing."
01[17:42] <Seira> "And this is Agatha," Seira introduces, observing the disguised deva as she does so. Her true name and assosiation with them would pretty much reveal her true nature, and Seira isn't sure whether Agathaiel wants that out in the open. "Waukeen can only smile in approval," she then continues without a noticeable pause. "Where do you hail from?"
[17:46] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Se.." He takes a drink, "I mean Victoria. I've been spending more time over here - goods from the desert and further west flow here, money from Malmuth comes north, not to mention all the unusual wares. It's the best place to make coin now."
01[17:48] <Seira> "Now that we have this chance to talk, would you mind if I asked you a question of a professional nature?" Seira inquires. "If there was something the Baronies could do to help trade along, or improve conditions for it, what would it be?"
[17:50] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> He takes a longer drink from his mug, setting it down. He rubs his red nose, "More of it. With all the money in Balmuria combined with all the goods and it's position, I'm making about five times what I used to make. Are you kidding? This city is a goldmine."
[17:50] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Waukeen's blessings have touched this city. Prosperity for all follows," Agathaiel murmurs quietly, refraining from drink and food.
01[17:51] <Seira> "Waukeen was concerned with ensuring that there were suitable trade routes from Balmuria to our neighbors," Seira muses, "but since I tend to travel differently from the merchant folk, I sometimes wonder whether their condition and upkeep is suitable."
[17:55] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Well, the Baronies roads are safe. I've heard of occasional bandits in the less well traveled Baronies, but I also hear about them being dealt with efficiently from Victoria or Balmuria. You see soldiers patrolling, both local and army detachments."
06[17:57] * Seira nods, finally tasting her own drink. "Perhaps, one day, golems could keep the roads entirely safe for travel, freeing the soldiers from this duty," she comments. "It might be an interesting project to tackle, one of those days."
[17:58] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> It's average booze. Not bad, not worth selling the farm for. "Golems...?" Jarn scowls, "What are those?"
01[17:58] <Seira> "Mmm. Think of what I had in mind as clay soldiers, stationed by the sides of the road to assist the travelers."
[17:58] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> With a little smile, "Magical constructs." Amaryl says, "They follow orders. They can be made of anything, metal, stone, gems, clay, what have you."
06[17:59] * Seira nods. "I think that clay is both the cheapest way to make them, and also one that doesn't take up precious metals or other important material that could be used elsewhere."
[18:00] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Oh, magic." With a knowing nod, "Shoulda guessed that. If you come to Balmuria for anything, it's the magic. The wizards, the temples, the money..." With a deep, heavy drink, "Still smells a bit funny. Heard the dead walked," Making the sign of the evil eye over his shoulder, "Like a story, but the city won."
01[18:02] <Seira> "We do seem to have a bit of a bad luck, where it comes to the living dead," Seira admits with a quiet sigh. "And it's just another reason to have more in the way of resources, I suppose."
[18:05] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Terrifying. If it wasn't for the Crimson Guard..." He stops here, looking at Seira all over again. He shakes his head back and forth, "Dad used to like to tell me stories about fantastic kingdoms. Said he heard about them on the road. Thing is, it was always 'They rose high and higher, then collapsed'. Mythic ages."
01[18:07] <Seira> "That's the way such stories tend to go," Seira agrees. "The Guard is trying to scribe a different one on the pages of history, but I'm afraid only time will tell whether we are successful. After all, the collapse in the myths is always related to some manner of folly, and those could be circumvented by studying the mistakes of the past, perhaps?"
[18:09] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it," Amaryl says around a sip of her own wine, "A very old proverb from Pallanth."
01[18:09] <Seira> "It would help if those who occupied themselves with the study of history also acted to ensure its mistakes weren't repeated," Seira says with another smile. "But yes, a very fine sentiment, I have to agree."
[18:10] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Guess so." Jarn shrugs his light shoulders, "Never thought Malmuth would fall so far, but just like that in a generation? Me? I'm gonna stay here where it's safe and on the rise."
06[18:10] * Seira shrugs. "To be fair to Malmuth, it still remains much like it was before, just smaller on a geographic scale. Given its original size, the empire is still quite vast."
[18:12] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Guess so. But they're buyin' up iron like crazy, still are. Who can keep going without iron? If the Baronies crossed their legs again, they're stepping in it." Jarn finishes his drink, waving a serving girl over for another. Once that's procured, "Plus they're humiliated. You should listen to the Malmuthians when they get drunk. Not a lick of 'em are happy."
01[18:15] <Seira> "We never annihilated their capital, so here's to hoping they eventually realize who their real friends and enemies are?" Seira suggests, her smile slipping slightly. This calls for a change of topic, and she might as well introduce the one she had originally come to this inn for. "Politics aside, how has your business fared you?"
[18:15] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "They started it with King Ferdi," Amaryl whispers, "It's sad, but they made their own bed and laid in it."
[18:16] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Well, well, well." He takes a long drink from his mug, nearly draining it down. With a growing smile, "I came in with dates, figs and other such delicies from the Fiefdoms. They've sold higher than I expected." He pats his stomach, "You could stand to lower your taxes a few notches, but..."
01[18:17] <Seira> "But then those excellent soldiers protecting the merchants from bandits wouldn't have their top of the line equipment," Seira picks up, her smile returning in full.
[18:18] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Mph." Finishing his drink right now, "Yeah, guess so."
06[18:22] * Seira nods thoughtfully. "I find myself in the market for such fine equipment as well, myself," she admits, low enough that she isn't overheard past their table. "I know it's quite rare for a mage such as myself to wear armor, but I've been meaning to equip myself in such a way for a while, now."
[18:26] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Oh, armor? Oh, did I miss a deal on armor not long ago!" Throwing his hands up, splashing a bit of ale, "I'm always on the lookout for side deals to earn some extra gold. A little back in Victoria, there was a guy from the Fiefdoms passing through. Azure was his name. He came through one night, talking up a few merchants. Said he had some incredible, once in a lifetime deals. So I make sure to notice where he's staying and give
[18:26] <Ko-Nitorisonfire>  once in a lifetime deals. So I make sure to notice where he's staying and give him a visit." (More)
[18:28] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "He says he's sold some of his goods, but he has one he thinks I'd like. Shows me this armor...wow." Making a gushing whoosh of air from his mouth, "Lit up the entire room like a goblinfucking burst of sunshine. Gorgeous. Could have stared at it all day, would've given stormy applause until my hands fell off if someone put it on stage and sold tickets to see it. Problem was, I couldn't afford it on the spot. Told him I'd get back
[18:28] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> Problem was, I couldn't afford it on the spot. Told him I'd get back to him in a few days once I russled up the funds. But by the time I did, he was gone. Heard he slipped away in the night."
01[18:31] <Seira> "That's quite a shame," Seira commiserates. "Was the price that high?"
[18:37] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "10,000. I'm convinced it was a steal!" He shake shis head, "I bet it was stolen or something, but the Hells withi t. Who gets that sort of chance? I bet Luna del Stronger would've bought it for ten times that! I'd be rich!"
01[18:39] <Seira> "It does sound like one," Seira agrees, nodding thoughtfully. "So it was a man from the Fiefdoms? You could tell that by the way he looked?"
[18:44] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Yeah. Said he as from when I asked, too." With a nod and finishing off another drink, "Damn shame."
01[18:45] <Seira> "A shame," Seira repeats once more. "Did Azure talk to any of the local merchants while in Victoria, you think?" she inquires. "It was just a couple weeks ago, right?"
[18:46] <Ko-Nitorisonfire> "Yeah." Jarn smiles lightly now, eyes a bit bloodshot. "He was talking to a bunch of people."
01[18:47] <Seira> "Did you happen to catch any names in particular, from Victoria itself?"
03[20:04] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-54456c04.lns6-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[20:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
03[20:19] * Ko-Nitorisonfire is now known as Kotono
03[20:53] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:54] <Kotono> "Red Meyer was one of them." With another drink down the gullet, "Big man, all red hair. I know he ws involved."
01[20:55] <Seira> That should be enough information to follow up on, Seira muses, helping Jarn to Agathaiel's serving.
[20:56] <Kotono> He swills down the wine as well, leaning back. "Good stuff. So Colonel Seira...What's it like with magic? I mean, casting it. You know, making dragons appear and fireballs burst."
01[20:57] <Seira> "I'm not really sure what you mean. Are you asking me if I enjoy it?"
[20:57] <Kotono> "What's it like casting magic? How does it feel?"
[20:58] <Kotono> Amaryl smiles at this, "It's channeling Mystra's Weave. I can use a little of it, it's like..." She considers, "It's like drawing something from inside and knowing just what to say. It makes my fingers tingle and my face feel like it's blushing."
01[20:58] <Seira> "It's a lot of fun. A feeling of power, of course, and often of control," Seira responds, reminiscing. "Sometimes, it is so exciting that you can't help but rhyme."
[21:00] <Kotono> "It's very hard, though, even when you can do it. When you finally feel like you've mastered a spell, there's new ones that are even harder." Amaryl thoughtfully looks down to her wine.
01[21:02] <Seira> "I personally like the challenge of matching the right spells to a situation you have yet to encounter to be the best," Seira muses. "Although if I fail spectacularly in that area, it can be quite depressing. I don't often do that, but still...."
[21:03] <Kotono> "Huh. Sounds like..." Yet another drink goes down, Jarn grinning. "Sounds kinda like...training, you know? Er, trading. Trading." Shaking his head as more ale goes down, "Like that. FIguring out markets and what to bring."
01[21:05] <Seira> "It is a lot like that, except it may reflect on lives. You tend to be more conservative by nature, since a loss in that area is not one you could ever recover from."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Almost." Amaryl smiles shly ot Seira.
06[21:07] * Seira is a mix of relief and sadness at the reminder. "Almost," she agrees.
[21:14] <Kotono> Agatha coughs delicately now, "Be well," she says, "But as a token of advice, restraint is a virtue as well. Drink will weather your body away and fog away your memories, as well as deplete your coffers."
[21:14] <Kotono> Jarn just finishes his drink, "Yeah, yeah, now you sound like a wife."
06[21:16] * Seira laughs, rising from her seat. "I find Agatha's advice to be quite sound in matters relating to trade and negotiations, so I wouldn't dismiss her words out of hand, however they might seem. We will be off, then. Take care, Jarn."
[21:19] <Kotono> "Thanks," Jarn raises his glass, as the party walks out. Once they're outside into the chilly air and away from the warmed air of the inn, "Are we going to head to Victoria and pursue that now, Seira?" Amaryl asks.
01[21:20] <Seira> "No reason why not," Seira agrees. "We've been there before, and we can use the ring to teleport to the front gates, then ask around."
[21:23] <Kotono> "Let's do then?" Amaryl says. OOC: If you are, go ahead and roll TPing, then assuming it works, go ahead and do a quick GI check?
01[21:23] <Seira> roll 1d100
05[21:24] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[21:24] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
01[21:24] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 93." [1d100=93]
01[21:26] <Seira> OOC: I dunno, does it qualify as studied carefully? We did spend over a day there.
[21:26] <Kotono> OOC: That's fine, you're familiar with tit and use it as a TP destination fairly often.
01[21:28] <Seira> Arming herself with a bout of Heroism to last her through most of the day, Seira begins questioning the traders and guardsmen about Azure, the traders from the
01[21:29] <Seira> Arming herself with a bout of Heroism to last her through most of the day, Seira begins questioning the traders and guardsmen about Azure, the trader from the Fiefdoms, and the visually-impressive Red Meyer.
01[21:29] <Seira> roll 1d20+14 GI
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 GI and gets 27." [1d20=13]
[21:40] <Kotono> Red Meyer is easy to find out about. He runs a merchant house in Victoria and can be found there if Seira wishes. Azure is far less forthcoming. SEira hears a few rumors - a man selling wonderous goods, but nothing concrete.
01[21:41] <Seira> Then Red Meyer is where she and her companions are headed next, to hear more than rumors.
[21:42] <Kotono> You find his merchant house: Red's Exotics. Entering in, you find a blonde haired woman standing inside, wearing an expensive looking dress and jewelry. "Good day!" She carols, "I...oh, Colonel SEira of the Crimson Guard and Lady Amaryl." She immediately makes a deep curtesy. "To what can we attribute the honor of this visit, ma'am."
01[21:47] <Seira> "Good day," Seira pleasantly returns, gesturing to her left. "This is Agatha." Perhaps, the woman could take the subtle hint and introduce herself in turn, so that Seira's response about the nature of her visit could be made properly.
[21:50] <Kotono> "I'm Marigold," she replies, "The hostess of Red's Exotics. Are you here on business, Colonel?"
01[21:51] <Seira> "Yes, although not official Guard business," Seira responds. "Call me Seira, if that's easier for you. I am interested in perusing your wares, if this is not too much trouble."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Of course," With a deep curtesy again, "Let me get Mr. Meyer for you. He would love to personally escort you, ma'am."
06[21:53] * Seira smiles, thanking the hostess.
[21:56] <Kotono> Within a few moments, she brings back a big, fat man. He has a shock of red hair, as red as pure fire. His face is the same, a thick fur jacket hanging from his massive frame. He comes forward, offering a beefy hand out. "Ah, Colonel Seira of the Crimson Guard! My modest trading house is far too little to properly entertain you, I'm afraid."
01[21:59] <Seira> "Not at all," Seira protests, accepting the trader's hand and shaking it. "I've heard about your exploits and decided to pay you a visit. Would you care to showcase your most recent acquisitions?"
[22:03] <Kotono> His grip is strong enough. "Certainly. Is there a piece in particular you're looking for, Colonel?"
01[22:05] <Seira> "In a sense," Seira agrees. "What sparked my interest was the news of a trade made with one Azure hailing from the Desert Fiefdoms. Might I see what you have gotten from his wares?"
[22:05] <Kotono> "Ah. Azure." Folding his hands together into a clap, "I should have known."
01[22:07] <Seira> "Why would that be?" Seira asks curiously.
[22:08] <Kotono> With a composed smile, "Azure sold...interesting items, as I'm sure you're aware of. Items of a mystical nature, I believe. The most strange things, too. Marvelous things, but strange."
01[22:11] <Seira> "I find myself in the curious position of both being interested to purchase his wares, and wondering if they legitimately belonged to Azure to sell in the first place," Seira elaborates with a small sigh. "I came to you in hope of both seeing one of his wares in person, and hearing more from you on the subject. Your help would be most appreciated, Sir."
[22:12] <Kotono> "Of course, I'm always happy to help the protectors of the Baronies," Gesturing, "This way.
[22:12] <Kotono> "
01[22:12] <Seira> "Thank you," Seira returns, following.
[22:14] <Kotono> You are lead back into soft, rich rooms. Here pieces of art from the Fiefdoms hang, rich displays of desert wealth. Amid them, there is a simple cudgel lying atop a fireplace. It looks completely out of place as Red Meyer stands before it. "This is it - looks normal enough right now."
01[22:17] <Seira> "If I may?" Seira voices, invoking the spell to see the magical auras of things, and taking a second look at the cudgel.
[22:18] <Kotono> The cudgel radiates magic.
01[22:19] <Seira> OOC: School, strength?
[22:20] <Kotono> OOC: Evocation, strong.
06[22:21] * Seira nods in approval. "It is decently strong. What is this cudgel supposed to do?"
[22:22] <Kotono> "Touch it." Red Meyer invites, "By all means."
06[22:23] * Seira does so at his invitation.
[22:25] <Kotono> The cudgel glows with a sheen of energy! It ripples over the surface of the cudgel, like a second skin.
06[22:26] * Seira observes it curiously for a moment longer.
[22:26] <Kotono> The energy continues to ripple. It's very pleasant to look at, entralling.
[22:26] <Kotono> *enthralling
01[22:27] <Seira> "Its ability is not revealing itself to my eyes," Seira admits. "To know more, I would need a more intrusive spell than I would like to cast at the moment."
[22:28] <Kotono> "It's definintely magic. Anyone with eyes can tell you that," Red Meyer smiles a little, "If you'r einterested in buying it? Considering it's uncertain status, I'd be willing to sell it to you at cost."
01[22:28] <Seira> "Oh?" Seira asks curiously, admiring the pleasantly glowing cudgel. "How much would it be, at cost?"
[22:31] <Kotono> "Seven thousand gold." He answers, "For what it may be, this is an absolute steal."
01[22:33] <Seira> Smiling, Seira glances towards the trader, moving her eyes away from the alluring sheen of energy. "And might I inquire about your own profit margin from this entire affair?" she wonders good-naturedly.
[22:35] <Kotono> "Even. It's at cost, I bought it for a mere 7,000 gold." Offering his hand out again, "Anything to help the guard...though, I have been thinking about opening an office in Balmuria. Would you know anything about that?"
01[22:39] <Seira> "We are always looking for enterprising people to increase the city's revenue and the quality of life for its citizens," Seira responds. "A boost to trading is one of the best ways of accomplishing this. Would you mind telling me more about that Azure person, first, however?" she requests politely. "While the product is genuine, I would still like to hear more about this trader."
[22:43] <Kotono> "He was a strange fellow. He was from the Fiefdoms, I believe. He said that he had acquired certain interesting goods he was willing to sell. Very easy to listen too, helluva talker. He'd make a great seller." Red Meyer rubs his jowly chin, jiggling. "He had the goods too."
01[22:45] <Seira> "Any idea where he was coming from, where he was headed? His plans? The rest of his merchandise?" Seira inquires calmly, giving the curious weapon a look for evil on the off chance there is foul play at hand.
[22:49] <Kotono> "He left rather abruptly," Shaking his head, "I do wonder if he was being chased." No evil, no evil at all. "He had a glowing set of armor and a cold iron sword in his possession."

[Corwin]

[21:03] <Koaway> > "Even. It's at cost, I bought it for a mere 7,000 gold." Offering his hand out again, "Anything to help the guard...though, I have been thinking about opening an office in Balmuria. Would you know anything about that?"
[21:03] <Koaway> <Seira> "We are always looking for enterprising people to increase the city's revenue and the quality of life for its citizens," Seira responds. "A boost to trading is one of the best ways of accomplishing this. Would you mind telling me more about that Azure person, first, however?" she requests politely. "While the product is genuine, I would still like to hear more about this trader."
[21:03] <Koaway> > "He was a strange fellow. He was from the Fiefdoms, I believe. He said that he had acquired certain interesting goods he was willing to sell. Very easy to listen too, helluva talker. He'd make a great seller." Red Meyer rubs his jowly chin, jiggling. "He had the goods too."
[21:03] <Koaway> <Seira> "Any idea where he was coming from, where he was headed? His plans? The rest of his merchandise?" Seira inquires calmly, giving the curious weapon a look for evil on the off chance there is foul play at hand.
[21:03] <Koaway> > "He left rather abruptly," Shaking his head, "I do wonder if he was being chased." No evil, no evil at all. "He had a glowing set of armor and a cold iron sword in his possession."
01[21:06] <Seira> "It sounds interesting enough," Seira agrees. "I'll bite. I'm afraid I don't travel with seven thousand in gold, but I could offer a suitable trade, if you wished, or return another day."
[21:07] <Koaway> "Feel free to return. I'll hold the item for you, Colonel," Red Meyer says graciously.
03[21:08] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[21:10] <Seira> "My thanks," Seira says once more. "If you had to take a guess, would you bet on our entreprenuer from the Fiefdoms having sold his sword and armor somewhere in the capital, or on having left town with them in his possession?"
[21:12] <Koaway> "Well," Rubbing his jowls, "Colonel, I haven't personally heard of them being seen and Azure did leave in ahurry. It's quite possible someone bought them and is staying low, but I'd guess he still has them.:"
06[21:14] * Seira nods slowly. Even as she considers her options, however, she suggests, "If you open an affiliate in Balmuria, might I suggest setting up at the newly-built area? Land is cheaper, and existing business don't have that much of a presence there, yet, so competition would not be as fierce as in the city-proper."
[21:15] <Koaway> "Ah, a recommendation? I'd be glad to listen to it," Red Meyer grins, "I'll remember that."
01[21:16] <Seira> "Leave me a message at my inn if you are in need of further help to get established in Balmuria," Seira offers. Not that she expects such a need to come up with a successful merchant, but just in case.
[21:17] <Koaway> "I thank you, Colonel," Red Meyer sticks his hand out again.
06[21:17] * Seira shakes it, in turn, before politely excusing herself.
[21:23] <Koaway> Once out, Amaryl turns, "No matter. At least we know more, but now what?"
[21:24] <Koaway> Agathaiel walks along in the chill air, "A righteous weapon being bandied about for such easy sale by a shady man? A curious thing."
01[21:24] <Seira> "We are at a crossroads," Seira announces, once the three of them have left Red's Exotics and are touring Victoria's streets. "To use a Sending to this Azure and attempt to set up negotiations. To teleport to the Fiefdoms and see if my contacts there know of Azure. Or to try and track him down." Here, she glances at Amaryl pointedly. "Something you should succeed at far better than I."
06[21:25] * Seira shrugs, then. "This might well be a celestial agent, just as the goods could have been ill-gotten. I've come across an avatar of Waukeen in Balmuria, once. It stands to reason such things might happen elsewhere as well."
[21:26] <Koaway> "There's one way to find out, but how are you going to find him? Magic?" Amaryl shivers a little in the chilly air, "It's cold out here today."
01[21:28] <Seira> "Magic is always a way," Seira agrees, sharing her cloak with Amaryl. "I was thinking more along the lines of spreading out and looking for clues as well as questioning people at the larger cities around us. Perhaps even use Sendings to dispatch such requests. If we can establish some sort of pattern to Azure's movements, we could then use the last place he was said to have stayed to track him down."
[21:29] <Koaway> "Well, if he's heading to Balmuria it'll be easy to find him. But what if he's heading to the west?" Agathaiel considers as Amaryl shivers against Seira, "Are your contacts as strong out of this kingdom?"
01[21:32] <Seira> "Yes, in the major cities where one would wish to trade," Seira responds without much hesitation. "I doubt your average village has seven to ten thousand gold put together, so there's little point in looking for a merchant trying to sell his wares -- or someone acting like one -- in them. And given the recent attacks, the guards would be more alert, and thus liable to remember more.
01[21:32] <Seira> Mmm. All things considered, I suggest we teleport to the capital of the Fiefdoms. It would also give me a chance to see the damage it took for myself, its rate of recovery, and help out if need be, which are neat pluses."
[21:34] <Koaway> "Very well. Let us travel there," Agathaiel says, "You shall cast the magics?"
06[21:34] * Seira allows Lagann to carry them away to her room at the temple of Waukeen there.
01[21:35] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 77." [1d100=77]
[21:39] <Koaway> Woosh! Seira arrives without incident. You find your room well kept and very clean. The air is warmer here, Amaryl rubbing her hands together. "Who are we going to see?"
01[21:41] <Seira> "Nice and warm, isn't it?" Seira asks happily, routing around in the closet for cloaks matching local fashions, three in number.
[21:43] <Koaway> Thick white robes and wraps are the order of the day. Several have been prepared, smelling nice and new.
01[21:45] <Seira> "Let's touch base with the clerics here, and ask them to find out about Azure as a personal favor, before doing anything else?" Seira suggests, changing into a suitable robe before proceeding to seek the locals out.
[21:48] <Koaway> Thus the party changes robes. Isonu is found in front of a crackling warm fire, reading a thick book. He closes it as Seira enters, "Ah, Seira! It's been some time. How are the fair lands ot the east? How are you?"
01[21:49] <Seira> "Fairly well, all things considered," she returns, offering him her hand. "And you?"
[21:50] <Koaway> "Profit comes as it does." The hand is taken, as well as a short bow after. "Lady Amaryl. M'lady," To Agathaiel last, "There has been murmursin the palace of trouble in the east, as well as some recent troubles of our own."
01[21:54] <Seira> "All related, no doubt," Seira agrees somberly, before her expression lightens as she gesturs at her side. "This is Agathaiel. Agathaieal, High Priest Isonu."
[21:56] <Koaway> Agathaiel glows, her disguise passing. The deva kneels before the high priest, "Holycoin, may the path of wealth and prosperity be revealed to your eyes."
[21:57] <Koaway> "Ah...thank you," With a slight start, "A servant of Waukeen honors me. Are you on business of Waukeen here, Seira?"
01[21:58] <Seira> "Quite so," Seira agrees, smiling. "You could say that Agathaiel is supervising on this one, for me."
[21:58] <Koaway> "We are seeking a man named Azure," Agathaiel rises and stands back, "Seira, I leave this matter to you."
01[22:04] <Seira> "Quite true," Seira agrees. "I have two concerns in mind, here. One is that he might have merchandise I desperately wish to have. The other is that I worry about the legitimacy of said merchandise in his hands to begin with, and wish to be reassured. We know he hails from this region, as far as reports of him go. Do you think you could help us learn more about this man?"
[22:05] <Koaway> "I can ask my contacts," he agrees, "It'll take a little time to rattle out information - a day if you're lucky, but more likely several."
01[22:10] <Seira> "That is perfectly alright," Seira assures him, "although I would like to have initial confirmation of the man operating out of here before all else. If we knew a bit about his origins and moral fiber, I could attempt to use a Sending to him while we search for yet more information."
[22:11] <Koaway> "It will be done. Until then, the hospitality of this temple is yours," Isonu rises, "I'll begin immediately."
01[22:12] <Seira> "Is there anything I can help our clergy with, either directly at this temple, or in the city itself?"
[22:15] <Koaway> "There may be. For the moment enjoy the temple, I will be in contact," Isonu says, bowing and departing.
06[22:17] * Seira acquiesces, intent on showing the grounds to Agathaiel and Amaryl for the remainder of the day. Come morning, they should be armed with more information and more useful spells.

[Corwin]

[22:30] <Kotono> <Seira> "Quite true," Seira agrees. "I have two concerns in mind, here. One is that he might have merchandise I desperately wish to have. The other is that I worry about the legitimacy of said merchandise in his hands to begin with, and wish to be reassured. We know he hails from this region, as far as reports of him go. Do you think you could help us learn more about this man?"
[22:30] <Kotono> > "I can ask my contacts," he agrees, "It'll take a little time to rattle out information - a day if you're lucky, but more likely several."
[22:30] <Kotono> <Seira> "That is perfectly alright," Seira assures him, "although I would like to have initial confirmation of the man operating out of here before all else. If we knew a bit about his origins and moral fiber, I could attempt to use a Sending to him while we search for yet more information."
[22:30] <Kotono> > "It will be done. Until then, the hospitality of this temple is yours," Isonu rises, "I'll begin immediately."
[22:30] <Kotono> <Seira> "Is there anything I can help our clergy with, either directly at this temple, or in the city itself?"
[22:30] <Kotono> > "There may be. For the moment enjoy the temple, I will be in contact," Isonu says, bowing and departing.
[22:30] <Kotono> * Seira acquiesces, intent on showing the grounds to Agathaiel and Amaryl for the remainder of the day. Come morning, they should be armed with more information and more useful spells.
[22:30] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and swap spells?
01[22:36] <Seira> OOC: LVL4 slots empty for myself, LVL7: Limited Wish, Greater Teleport
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: That it for your change/prep?
01[22:37] <Seira> OOC: Yeah
[22:38] <Kotono> The next morning dawns. Isonu meets you over breakfast, but you notice that the doors are barred and shut. "Sandstorm," I show Isonu opens, "Not a terribly bad one, but unpleasant. Still, I did find some useful information."
01[22:40] <Seira> "Oh?" Seira asks curiously, buttering up a roll.
[22:41] <Kotono> Amaryl takes a few figs, wihle Agathaiel abstains. "Azure's name is familiar, though he hasn't bee in Arad in a several months. He's a low end merchant, getting by but not prosperous."
01[22:42] <Seira> "Thus it is rather strange that he is selling magical weaponry in a hurry in foreign lands," Seira picks up, taking a bite.
[22:46] <Kotono> "It doesn't make good sense, no." Isonu says, as a faint howl of wind can be heard. "Perhaps he stole it, or chanced on a lost treasure?"
01[22:48] <Seira> "Perhaps it is so," Seira agrees. "Does he have any sort of shop open in Arad, or family, per chance?"
[22:53] <Kotono> "Not that I heard of. He was a traveler, going about the Fiefdoms." Putting his hands together, "His reoputation wasn't terribly good or terribly bad. Entirely an average, forgettable sort. Which makes this the more puzzling."
01[22:55] <Seira> "I believe I will treat this as an opening toward honest trading and use a Sending after all," Seira decides. "If, over the course of our negotiations or your investigation, my doubts are raised about the legitimacy of Azure as a merchant, I could always take measures."
[22:55] <Kotono> "I would think he got lucky then?" Amaryl scratches her head, "Perhaps he's underselling the value of them like Red Meyer thought? If he's untrained...?"
[22:57] <Kotono> "There is the question of why he fled Victoria? Is he being pursued or in trouble, or is he paranoid?" Agathaiel looks to Seira, "How are you going to find him now? Scrying?"
01[22:58] <Seira> "We could decide such things on the spot," Seira agrees with Amaryl, before responding to Agathaiel's concerns. "It is entirely possible he appears to flee, if he recently came into good fortune and worries about getting robbed or killed for possessing his wares." She withdraws her spellbook, leafing through it slowly.
01[22:58] <Seira> "Scrying is fairly nasty towards someone you bear no ill will towards. I will attempt a Sending, as I've stated, and only resort to scrying if I have reason to."
[23:01] <Kotono> "Let's see how that goes then? With this sandstorm..." Amaryl coughs, "We can't simply go out and walk to im."
06[23:03] * Seira memorizes the Sending spell, before starting with the arduous task of preparing a message for her magic to deliver. She decides to deviate from the norm usually used in Sendings, and go with, 'I am Seira, a mage. I wish to purchase your wares. If you agree, please speak aloud the name of the city you are in.'
06[23:08] * Seira shrugs. "No answer, not even a less than polite 'go away', which just begs me to attempt scrying next." Even if her chances of success are slim, she feels the need to try.
[23:09] <Kotono> OOC: Going to try scrying straight away?
01[23:09] <Seira> OOC: Well, it takes an hour, but yes
[23:10] <Kotono> OOC: You have that portable scrying shard?
01[23:11] <Seira> OOC: I don't think I got around to buying it. No suitable mirrors, then?
[23:12] <Kotono> OOC: The temple would have a cleric font for it - which you could mimick with limited wish - but not the arcane component. It's the priciest and one they wouldn't really use.
01[23:13] <Seira> OOC: Sure, I'll blow the limited wish on this
[23:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+5 secondhand)
03[23:14] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
[23:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (+5 secondhand)
06[23:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 (+5 secondhand) and gets 26." [1d20=17]
[23:14] <Kotono> OOC: DC?
[23:14] <Kotono> OOC: DC?
01[23:15] <Seira> OOc: 29 for lvl7 spells, which this emulates. Score!
[23:17] <Kotono> You see what look sto be a dingy room. A man is throwing bags and handfuls of coins into several heavy wooden chests, working at a feverish pitch. His skin is dark, as is his hair. He wears a simple traveler's clothes, face a mask of panic.
06[23:18] * Seira frowns. "Well, he's certainly in a panic. Let's add to it by teleporting right over?"
[23:21] <Kotono> "Quite the panic," Amaryl checks her gear over briefly, "You have the ring on you, right?"
06[23:23] * Seira hands it over, continuing to study the feverish man. "Take us over there, and we'll see if he's in need of protection or jail time."
[23:25] <Kotono> "Got it," Amaryl says, invoking the ring!
[23:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[23:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 92." [1d100=92]
[23:27] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear in a dark, faintly smelly inn room. It reeks of old sweat and ale here, the bed dirty and unmade. One complication - it's not your quarry Azure here. It's a large, muscled man and a blonde woman. They're not wearing much, very occupied with each other and what their tongues can find in each other's throats. Amaryl gawks and turns into a little elf flare, glowing as bright red as lava. "Ooops..." she whispers.
[23:27] <Kotono> red as lava. "Ooops..." she whispers.
[23:30] <Kotono> OOC: Strike.
[23:31] <Kotono> Woosh! You appear in a dark, faintly smelly inn room. It reeks of old sweat and ale here, the bed dirty and unmade. Several wooden chests are here, Azure filling them with bags of gold and coin as fast as he can.
01[23:32] <Seira> "Who are you in such a hurry to flee from, Mister Azure?" Seira asks, casually striding to occupy a spot that cuts off any escape, be it through door or window. And looking at him through her evil-detecting shades, of course.
[23:33] <Kotono> No evil. Azure whirls around, eye sgoing wide. "Aaaah!" He fumbles, drawing a dagger from his shirt. "Get away ,thieves!"
01[23:36] <Seira> "How rude," Seira says with a huff. "At least call us tresspassers, if you must. All I want is a few minutes of your time. If you don't want to sell me anything in your possession, that is well within your rights. But I have strong concerns regarding the legality of those possessions, and your strange behavior has forced me to act in such a manner.
01[23:36] <Seira> If you persist in this paranoid fashion, I will have to make this inquiry an official one, and this is something I believe we would all like to avoid, wouldn't we, Mister Azure?"
[23:37] <Kotono> "We don't mean any harm. We just need to make sure everything's safe for you," Amaryl adds into this.
[23:37] <Kotono> OOC: Make diplo, Seira?
01[23:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+37
06[23:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+37 and gets 54." [1d20=17]
[23:38] <Kotono> Azure's tenseless lessons, taking a few big breaths. "O-kay, you sound trustworthy," he says, putting his knife away. "Seira from the United Baronies?"
01[23:40] <Seira> "In the flesh," Seira agrees with a curt nod. "If you are indeed being pursued, nothing short of a demon lord would get to you while we are present, so you may relax. Now, would you mind telling me what has you so jumpy? It is a rare day that such exploits of merchants reach Balmuria all the way from the capital."
[23:41] <Kotono> Azure's hands shake, "It's this loot. It's cursed." Shaking his head back and forth, "The money might be too, but I'm gonna risk it. Made enough to retire in luxury. All 'cause I found that battlesite."
06[23:42] * Seira tilts her head slightly, indicating for him to proceed.
[23:44] <Kotono> "I was blown off course by a sandstorm...really bad.  I stumbled into a battle-ground. It was...lots of broken things and black sand. I found the loot in it and made it back to an oasis, just barely."
01[23:46] <Seira> "Sounds like a fair found," Seira says evenly, shrugging. "Where does the curse come in?"
[23:47] <Kotono> "Started getting bad feelings as I sold it all. Bad feelings. Like I was being watched. Things were right. They were going to get me." Shaking his head along and along and along, "They were gonna come and take it all away."
01[23:48] <Seira> "How long have you been selling it?" Seira asks curiously.
[23:49] <Kotono> "Several months. A piece here, a piece there. Quiet. I know they'd get me if I made more noise." Azure shakes his head, "Sold it all, but...gotta get back and hide safely now. I can't let them get my gold!"
01[23:51] <Seira> "I assure you, if anyone were literally watching your steps with magic, these mysterious they would have stepped in far earlier," Seira muses, tapping her lips. "I could, of course, check if there is any curse at all at play, here, although I doubt that, either. Could you tell me more about the nature of this battle ground and what you found there?"
[23:54] <Kotono> "Y-yeah, okay." After another shaky breath, "It was in the desert, way out there. Everything was really quiet. No bodies, just the bear...and the sand. Patches of sand that were black as night, and others white as snow. It felt creepy. Really creepy, but the stuff as lying around there, waiting to be taken."
01[23:55] <Seira> "Bear?"
[23:55] <Kotono> *gear. B and G are close on th ekeyboard.
01[23:55] <Seira> OOC: Strike~
01[23:59] <Seira> "It is possible it was a battlesite where a follower of heavens fell, and might even attribute for the sensation of being watched," Seira suggests, thinking it over. Plenty of battles took place in that region, leaving dead sand behind. "As long as you did not sell anything to particularly unscrupulous people, however, I would not worry about any sort of reprecussions
01[23:59] <Seira> and suggest that you relax about such things. If you are worried over the more mundane problems, such as being robbed by those who envy your fortune, Balmuria has an excellent standard in keeping the law, and plenty of qualified mercenaries for hire to guard your person, if I might say so."
Session Time: Sat Nov 28 00:00:00 2009
[00:00] <Kotono> "M-maybe, but..." He runs a hand down his face, "You said checking for a curse, too? Like heavens? Angels? Like an angel cursed me?"
[00:01] <Kotono> "Perhaps so if you hold something not meant for mortal hands, but not likely." Agathaiel replies, "If you committed no sin, it is unlikely you are cursed by the heaven.s"
01[00:01] <Seira> "That's highly unlikely," Seira states. "There might be, in exceedingly rare cases, a curse left on objects from a violent passing of their owner, but again I don't believe that to be the case. Just to be on the safe side, once an hour's passed, I could check for such matters."
[00:06] <Kotono> "Y-yeah," Azure nods, going to sit besides his gold boxes. "It's gotten worse as time has passed, too."
01[00:08] <Seira> "I can dispel curses, too," Seira decides to state, in order to help the man calm down. "As Agatha has said, if no sin was committed, you should suffer no ill effects. Oh, where are my manners? This is, of course, Agatha, and last but not least, Amaryl." She gestures at her companions as she makes the belated introductions.
[00:12] <Kotono> "Hello." Soft in voice and smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Azure." Amaryl says.
[00:13] <Kotono> "H...hello." Takin ga gulp in return, "Yeah, you do that. See about the curse as soon asyou can then."
01[00:14] <Seira> "If I might return to that subject," Seira then says, "I am interested in the collection you manage to acquire and sell. In the armor, in particular, but the rest of it as well. If possible, I intend to try and track it down for purchase. As we must wait for a bit until I can call upon those magics, I would appreciate hearing about those dealings, unless they were made in confidence."
[00:24] <Kotono> "I-I'll tell you." A slight nod follows, "I sold it to a man who called himself Laraiel. When I started making my pitches to merchants there, he came up and made an offer. We got along well and it was generous, so I went along with it. Said he was heading back towards Arad."
01[00:25] <Seira> "From Victoria?" Seira inquires, also intent on getting what few contact details might be available.
[00:26] <Kotono> "Yes." A nod there, "That's what he said."
01[00:28] <Seira> "And aside from the armor?"
[00:29] <Kotono> "I sold a man named Red Meyer a cudgel," He goes on, "He's in Victoria. I sold a traveling merchant named Ali a cold iron sword in the Fiefdoms.
[00:29] <Kotono> "
06[00:29] * Seira nods. "Just those three, then? A strange set of equipment."
[00:32] <Kotono> "Yeah," Answering that with a quick nod, "You just know they're magic when you look at them."
01[00:33] <Seira> "You do," Seira agrees. "I ran into Red Meyer the other day, and saw the cudgel. How much did you get for each of them, if I might ask?"
[00:34] <Kotono> "5,000 for the cudgel, 10,000 for the armor and 6,000 for the sowrd," he answers, "21,000 gold in total, roughly."
06[00:36] * Seira grins at the sneakiness of the Victorian merchant. "Might I suggest using gems and platinum for most of your monetary needs?" she voices. "They tend to make travel far lighter and easier. That aside, however, would you take me up on my offer of transportation towards your next destination? I should be able to take you and your gold along, if you so wish."
[00:38] <Kotono> "You mean...magic?" He looks to Seira again, "I heard you can go across the known world in as econd."
01[00:39] <Seira> "I can," she confirms.
[00:39] <Kotono> "Yes, exactly that." Agathaiel smiles faintly, "Arcane magic trivilizes miles into inches."
[00:40] <Kotono> "Okay," Licking his lips, "It'll get me away from THEM, anyway."
01[00:41] <Seira> "Just think about your destination, Balmuria, Arad, or something new altogether," Seira suggests to the man. "Take your time, gather your things for travel. Once you are done, I will be ready as well."
[00:43] <Kotono> "Balmuria'll work," Azure says quickly, "Somewhere they wont' find me...they think I'm going back to the desert, I just know it."
06[00:44] * Seira nods, and settles against the wall to meditate, finding herself a position where she can observe the outside world through the window. Once an hour has passed, she can just start by trying to sense the magic in the room, and see whether Azure has anything left over that he couldn't properly identify, or any sign of magic upon his person or his gold.
[00:47] <Kotono> Azure radiates faint magic, Seira finds.
01[00:47] <Seira> Raising an eyebrow imperceptively, Seira tries to estimate the nature of said magic.
[00:48] <Kotono> OOC: Spellcraftin'?
01[00:48] <Seira> OOC: Yep
[00:49] <Kotono> OOC: Taking ten or rolling/total what?
06[00:50] * Seira takes a moment to reinforce her faculties with Heroism before attempting to discover the exact nature of the aura.
01[00:50] <Seira> OOC: 10 for 38
01[00:51] <Seira> This time, Seira's eyebrows climb all the way past her shades. "What do you know, there really is a curse," she says loud enough to catch everyone's attention. "Azure, please stand still and breathe normally, while I attempt to remove it from your person?"
[00:54] <Kotono> "Ah, an easy solution," Agathaiel smiles.
06[00:54] * Seira presses the palm of her hand to Azure's forehead, channeling enough arcane power to force its way through the curse and eliminate it altogether.
01[00:54] <Seira> OOC: Remove Curse
[00:54] <Kotono> Azure's eyes widen, "They cursed me, oh no..!" he shudders, trying to breathe normally. With that burst of arcane power, Azure's eyes go wider. "...i...it's gone." he says, "That nameless dread is fading away!"
06[00:55] * Seira continues observing the unfortunate man calmly to confirm that the magical auras indeed are leaving his person.
[00:56] <Kotono> The auras are gone. With a smile, "I feel so much better! Why was I so worried...there's nothing wrong at all!"
01[00:58] <Seira> "It is by no means no certainty, but I estimate the curse was of a divine origin," Seira says for Azure's benefit. "Either you've crossed a cleric in some way, or the objects you've found carried something with them... but things should be just fine from now on. Let's go to Balmuria once you've settled your affairs here, then?"
[01:00] <Kotono> "It could have been an object warded to prevent evil from taking it and you were merely unlucky." Agathaiel considers, "Or perhaps the black sand you spoke of?"
[01:00] <Kotono> "I'm ready to go, gold and all," Azure states.
01[01:01] <Seira> "All fine possibilities," Seira agrees. "Just come closer, then, everyone. I will aim for a section of the street just outside my home. You could stay there for the day, Mister Azure, and then choose where to settle down. On three, one, two...."
01[01:02] <Seira> Once everyone is ready, she counts to three and calls upon her strongest teleportation spell, certain to deliver them all on target without fail.
[01:21] <Kotono> The rest of the day's sendings are simple. Isonu promises to sending you late the same day or tomorrow depending on when the sandstorm lessens. OOC: Rest of the day is peaceful. Going to change any spells.
01[01:23] <Seira> OOC: (lvl5) TK, Cloudkill -> blank slots; (lvl4) Lesser Globe of Invulnerability, GMW -> blank slots; (lvl7) Twinned Ray -> Greater Teleport, Twinned Unicorns -> Limited Wish
06[01:24] * Seira intends to see if the next day bears any fruit, and if Isonu does not contact her by lunchtime, she could investigate the smith in Armasea in the meantime.
[01:26] <Kotono> Just before lunch, word comes back. 'Ali is a legitimate merchant, but not in Arad right now. Laraiel is related to celestials and can talk in Arad.'
01[01:29] <Seira> That name was a large giveaway, and Seira's pleased that her hunch was met. "I will be there in half an hour," she sends back, "and I would appreciate it if an audience could be arranged. Thank you, Isonu."
[01:33] <Kotono> After a half hour, the three women gather. "On your mark, Seira," Amaryl says.
06[01:36] * Seira imbues herself with a pair of spells to give herself a boost of confidence and to draw more deeply on her draconic nature, and then accepts Amaryl and Agathaiel's hands. "Towards successful negotiations," she pronounces, calling upon a powerful spell of teleportation to deliver them to her room at the temple in Arad.
01[01:36] <Seira> OOC: Heroism, Voice of the Dragon
[01:44] <Kotono> Woosh! Thus the trio appears! In your room Isonu awaits. A man of regal stature and bearing with deepset black eyes waits. He wears fine traveling clothes with a rich cloak. His skin is like marble, hair dark curls. "Seira," he offers a hand out to her.
06[01:45] * Seira shakes it firmly, inclining her head in greeting. "Laraiel?"
[01:46] <Kotono> "The same." His grip is unrelented, hand smooth as melted iron. "I hear you were after Azure, the man I bought celestial armor from?"
[01:46] <Kotono> "I've informed him of the situation," Isonu states as he stays stead.
[01:46] <Kotono> *seated
01[01:49] <Seira> "That makes the situation even simpler," Seira says with a smile directed at the priest. "Thank you once more, Isonu." Returning her direction to Laraiel, she gestures towards her girlfriend. "This is Amaryl. I was seeking a superior armor for her, as we are about to return to the Abyss to take the fight to our enemies. Her safety is paramount in my eyes, and I believed Azure had just what we needed."
[01:51] <Kotono> "I've heard of the Crimson Guard. You've done good work in this world. You're correct, the armor is powerful, or it would be if it wasn't damaged." Laraiel stays standing, his marvelous voice filling the room and enthralling. "It bears battle scars and it's effectiveness has been compromised."
[01:51] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[01:51] <Kotono> "I've heard of the Crimson Guard. You've done good work in this world. You're correct, the armor is powerful, or it would be if it wasn't damaged." Laraiel stays standing, his marvelous voice filling the room and enthralling. "It bears battle scars and it's effectiveness has been compromised. It could be repaired given the proper skill."
01[01:54] <Seira> "I know of two artisans who might be up to the task," Seira says, not missing a beat. "Perhaps even three. Of course, it is near impossible to tell, given I know next to nothing about the battle scars in question. Would you be willing to assist us in this matter, either by allowing us to purchase the armor, or by doing that and helping us restore it to its former glory?"
[01:56] <Kotono> Laraiel gestures to Seira's closet. "I placed it in there. I ask for a favor in return."
01[01:57] <Seira> "Of course," Seira says instantly. "If it is within my power to help, I am always ready to do so for our friends here in Arad."
[02:04] <Kotono> "I need another magical item I possess fully analysed. I fear it may be a cursed arm of the dark side."
01[02:05] <Seira> "The sword Azure mentioned?"
[02:06] <Kotono> "No, unrelated to this." Taking it out from a pocket, Laraiel shows you a pair of bloodied iron gauntlets. They're small but stained in dark lifeblood. "I do not detect evil, but my spirit is uneasy when I hold them. I would like to remove any question about them."
06[02:08] * Seira nods. "Alright," she says, heading towards her closet to withdraw the armor from it and laying it up on her bed. She gestures next to it. "Please put the gauntlets here, and I will attempt to observe them both at the same time."
[02:09] <Kotono> The gauntlets are placed down without incident.
06[02:09] * Seira calls upon Detect Evil and Magic in sequence, studying both objects.
[02:11] <Kotono> No evil but there is magic.
01[02:12] <Seira> OOC: Spellcraft 38 for unique effects/enchantments/school/etc?
06[02:15] * Seira nods to herself, and asks those gathered to make themselves comfortable as she begins preparing the necessary spells. A magic circle against evil and the spell of Identify would be necessary for something a celestial suspects just might be dangerous. Once their arcane patterns are seared into her mind, Seira invokes the former in its extended variant, and attempts to use Identify on the gauntlets.
06[02:21] * Seira observes herself for any foreign auras mingling with her own. If none are in presence, she rounds up the request by having Lagann use a Wish on Legend Lore for the gauntlets, while she herself calls upon similar magic to cast Analyze Dweomer for both of the objects.
01[02:23] <Seira> roll 10*1d4 legend lore minutes
06[02:23] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 10*1d4 legend lore minutes and gets 20." [1d4=2]
[02:25] <Kotono> Seira takes out the armor! It is made of silver and gold, but terribly battered. Despite it, it glows beautifully!
01[02:27] <Seira> "I'm sorry it took--" Seira trails off, frowning in dismay. "Ah, well. At least those were two hours well spent. Laraiel, the gauntlets have the most basic of enchantments upon them, which is then further imbued by delivering a moderate amount of negative energy upon those struck with them. While necromantic in nature, it is hardly a vile or evil or even nasty enchantment.
01[02:27] <Seira> They also aren't old or important enough in the general scheme of things, so rather than believe a simple pair of gauntlets managed to outwit me, I think I'll go with harmless in the way you were afraid about."
[02:28] <Kotono> "Good. Still distasteful, but worthy of putting away in a corner, not needing to destroy or purify," Laraiel says, "Thank you, Seira."
06[02:30] * Seira shrugs. "Don't mention it. And I wouldn't call it distasteful, truly. A simple inflict light wounds spell would harm a person more. Just as positive energy could be harmful if you spend too much on that plane, negative energy has its own reasonable uses."
06[02:31] * Seira decides to add, "Plus, there is nothing vampiric about this ability. It does not drain from the target to yourself."
[02:32] <Kotono> "I still dislike using the tools of death. Let life reign instead, not death." The guantlets are taken, "The armor is yours to do what you will with. I trust you will put this armor to good use."
01[02:33] <Seira> "It is my hope as well," Seira returns with a smile, taking the change of topic in stride. There is little sense to argue over tastes regarding such matters. "If there is any way I might be of use in the future, don't hesitate to call upon me, Laraiel."
[02:34] <Kotono> "I know not how long my duties on this world will last. If they take me in your path, I will come calling," He offers his hand out again to Seira. "Be safe and walk in peace."
01[02:35] <Seira> "You too," she says, taking the proffered hand once more.
[02:36] <Kotono> "Be well, sorry I didn't say much." Amaryl blushes, "But you have such a lovely voice!"
[02:36] <Kotono> "Be well, brother in arms," Agathaiel shakes hands with Laraiel.
06[02:36] * Seira laughs. "It can be easy to get overwhelmed with new people, can't it?" she tells Amaryl.
[02:41] <Kotono> "Oh yes," Amaryl colors again, "SometimesI just want to stay home for a few months and rest."
01[02:41] <Seira> "I think we can manage that, in two months's time," Seira voices. "We'll surely earn our time off by then."
[02:43] <Kotono> "But now what?" Agathaiel goes over to the damaged celestial armor, "Who shall repair it?"
01[02:45] <Seira> "The smith we heard of," Seira states. "That is our next target. As Elle is busy as sin, we'll have to try our luck in Armasea, next. I'll memorize teleporting spells, and once I'm done we can try and see that rumored person."
01[02:46] <Seira> OOC: Identify, MCvE -> blank lvl4 slots, Teleport x2 -> blank lvl5 slots.
[02:50] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, roll TP.
01[02:50] <Seira> roll 1d100 try the first!
06[02:51] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 try the first! and gets 54." [1d100=54]

[Corwin]

[18:13] <Kotono> ----
[18:15] <Kotono> Questioning around, Seira can find her destination is a bit outside the city of Armasea. Mercer lives there, known as an extrodinarily skilled blacksmith. Seira would know he repaired the Sword of the Sealed Gate using Linthrum and the fragments of the blae.
[18:15] <Kotono> *blade
[18:15] <Kotono> OOC: If you wanna TP over or make travel arraingmenets feel free.
01[18:17] <Seira> Since there is still plenty of sunshine left, and she doesn't want to risk teleporting blindly based on such descriptions, Seira decides to find horses for herself and her companions and ride over to Armasea's outskirts in search of the smith Mercer.
[18:18] <Kotono> OOC: Going on mundane horseback or what?
01[18:18] <Seira> OOC: Yeah. It's just nearby, right?
[18:18] <Kotono> OOC: You do know that's not a mere day's journey or anything by normal means.
[18:18] <Kotono> OOC: It takes a bit of travel to get there, you guys haven't been in a long while though.
01[18:18] <Seira> OOC: I'm in Armasea, and it's still over a day? Okay.
[18:19] <Kotono> OOC: No, I mean that you're in Balmurai right now. I'm talking about from Balmiuria TO the destination.
[18:19] <Kotono> OOC: If you're going to TP over and take horses(Yeah, I said it funny a line up), roll the TP then and I'll move you along.
01[18:20] <Seira> OOC: I was pretty sure I wanted to teleport to Armasea from the start, but okay
01[18:20] <Seira> roll 1d100
03[18:20] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #evildunes
01[18:20] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
[18:25] <Kotono> Getting horses in Armasea is without incident and easy enough. You go to find Mercer. A large, smoky stone building lies a few miles out of Armasea. A wide chimney emits great black puffs of smoke out, the entire air smelling of metal and fire. There is little decoration outside, the building entirely ulitarian.
[18:26] <Kotono> Amaryl sneezes, rubbing her nose. "It is most assuredly a smithery. Human smiths are always so smoky!"
01[18:26] <Seira> Flashiness has its moments, but a quiet, reserved confidence is also fine, Seira muses to herself. At Amaryl's words, she perks up. "How do elven smiths work, then?"
[18:27] <Kotono> "I'm not trained in the arts, but I can tell you there is far less smoke involved." Sneezing again, Amaryl follows that up with a cough.
01[18:28] <Seira> "We'll have to visit one of them some day and solve this mystery, then," Seira responds with a short laugh, heading up to the door to knock on it twice.
[18:29] <Kotono> After a few moments, a loud, roudy voice calls, "Yeah, what do you want? C'mon in!"
06[18:30] * Seira opens the door, preferring to deliver her greeting in person. "Seira of the Crimson Guard. I'm looking for Mercer?"
[18:31] <Kotono> As Seira enters, she is buffered by heat! Inside are several forges, blazing hot! In this vast room hang cooling and cooled arms, armor and shields in the front half. In the back half are the forges, where the crafter works. He is a big man - six and a half feet tall, flame scarred and wearing a leather apron over his clothes. He wields a hammer as he pounds on a shield, forcing it into place.  "Seira, eh? Captain Alicia send you this way?
[18:31] <Kotono> "Seira, eh? Captain Alicia send you this way?" He speaks over the din of his hammer.
01[18:33] <Seira> Mmm, heat. "You came highly recommended," Seira chooses to respond, before introducing Amaryl and Agathaiel to the smith. "We have quite the unique suit of armor that needs to be in top shape, perhaps even surpassing its original capabilities. I'm reasonably confident the likes of it weren't seen on this world for millennia, at least not in the hands of mortals. Interested in the job?"
[18:35] <Kotono> "Damned right I am." With a few more poundings to shape it, Mercer takes the shield in tongs, dropping it into a vat of water! As it hisses and a storm of steam rises out, "Is it more Linthrum?"
01[18:36] <Seira> "Why don't we just show you?" Seira asks, a smile playing on her lips, as she waits for Amaryl to reveal the celestial armor to Mercer.
[18:38] <Kotono> Amaryl takes the armor out of the carrying sack, placing it onto a nearby table! The forge-light catches in the armor, reflected into the brilliance of an inferno. Mercer looks to it, a low whistle in his throat. He goes over, running his hands over the damaged suit of mail.
[18:38] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[18:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 27." [1d20=13]
[18:38] <Kotono> "This isn't from here, is it? Not from anywhere we're supposed to be?" His hands work into the grooves and gashes, "This construction is beyond any other smith besides myself."
01[18:40] <Seira> "Its nature speaks rather lightly about its origin," Seira agrees. "I know what it is capable of now, and I know what similar designs are made to do. I even have an idea or two of my own about how to adjust those. What I can't possibly tell is whether it would be possible to fix it according to such designs in a short amount of time."
[18:43] <Kotono> "I need to examine it." Hefting the armor up with one hand, holding it close to his face with squinted eyes, "Do you know what it's forged of?"
06[18:44] * Seira is about to say no, when she pauses, and mentally asks Lagann to determine that for her.
01[18:48] <Seira> "Mithral, gold and alchemical silver," Seira reports, detailing the exact composition and how the metals uniquely bind to each other. "I believe it carries itself much like a comparable mithral armor in most ways."
[18:50] <Kotono> Rapping against the tiny chain-links with his finger, "Gold's too heavy for effective armor and much too soft. Alchemical silver can hold an edge...mithral is very good." He eyes it again, "It must be using the gold for some purpose, but what? The armor's too damned light. Magic?"
01[18:56] <Seira> "Speaking of..." Seira trails off, and links her mind closer with Lagann. She can project colorful images in the air easily enough, and her familiar has an endless knowledge of designs. Together, they should be able to display the way the metals come together, and the functions of magic binding them.
01[18:56] <Seira> Truthfully, Lagann could have sufficed in fixing the armor altogether, but setting up a suitable smithy for him would just take too long while they're pressed for time. That doesn't mean his knowledge can't come useful, however.
[18:58] <Kotono> Watching the designs raptly, Mercer's hammerhand twitches around his instrument. "Oooooh...that's how...and the alchemical silver bonds to the gold...and the mithral..." he nods to himself, "And the arcana..."
01[19:02] <Seira> "The most heavily damaged parts are that last, the arcana."
[19:03] <Kotono> After some time of examination, Mercer nods. "I'm not a wizard, but I have picked up some arcane knowledge." He reaches out with his hammer, going through one of the projected images. "It'll need something to reignite the magic. Something powerful and suitable, the stronger, the better. You're a wizard, got anything like that?"
01[19:05] <Seira> "If you mean a suitable magic spell, I'm tapped out for today," Seira admits, "but tomorrow I could work something out. If you had a different idea, I could try spells that go well with this armor's nature."
[19:05] <Kotono> "It might, but not. Something more solid. Something magic or symbolism. Like a sphere of magical power, or the heartblood of an angel." With a shrug, "You know, like in the storytales?"
06[19:06] * Seira is silent for a bit, before asking, "What about a dragon's blood?"
[19:09] <Kotono> "It might, at that. Dragons are naturally magical." Nodding ot that, "If it was reforged in dragon's blood, that could do it. The stronger the dragon, the better." With a critical eye at Seira, "Wasn't there a dragon in Balmuria years back? Still got his blood around?"
01[19:10] <Seira> "In a sense," Seira muses, turning to examine the pendant she had given Amaryl what now seems like such a long time ago. "That, and some of my blood to serve as catalyst to bind the two together, perhaps...."
[19:11] <Kotono> "It would be good. Got anything else to add to that," As Seira examines the pendant. "It doesn't have to be just one thing, as lon gas they all harmonize and they're all powerful."
01[19:14] <Seira> "Only the spells I mentioned previously," Seira responds, glancing at Amaryl and Agathaiel for any ideas.
[19:16] <Kotono> "A holy relic, or perhaps something else?" Agathaiel says after some thought.
[19:17] <Kotono> "Maybe..." Amaryl considers a moment, "No. Nevermind."
01[19:17] <Seira> "How would pure, positive energy mesh with things?" Seira volunteers, mulling it over, before turning towards Amaryl. "Yes?"
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 30." [1d20=16]
[19:20] <Kotono> "It...like life-energy? Potentially quite well, but I've never worked with anything like that so I don't know for certain," Mercer says.
01[19:22] <Seira> "Would you be averse to having my familiar on hand?" Seira inquires, even as she continues to peer at Amaryl questioningly. "He is quite knowledgeable in the field, and it feels as if such an arrangement would cover all angles."
[19:23] <Kotono> "It was a foolish idea," Amaryl frowns.
[19:23] <Kotono> "That metal ball? If it helps, sure. I could use a second...not what I imagined, but why not?"
01[19:24] <Seira> "He could talk to you directly, if you'd like, though I'll have to ask him not to overwhelm you," Seira responds. "That aside, for the moment, I would like an estimate. How long would such an endeavor take, and how much would you like to charge for it?"
[19:26] <Kotono> "Hells." Scratching on a burnscar on his forearm, "Half a week? A week? It took me three days to remake that Sword of the Sealed Gate, this shouldn't be much longer. As for payment? I want physical copies of those images the ball's making."
01[19:29] <Seira> "Would you be averse to checking with myself before employing the techniques that went into the construction of this armor?" Seira asks him back. "We might have been granted the armor itself, but crafting more of them without any control might get someone we want to keep happy to frown instead."
[19:32] <Kotono> "What do you mean, checking in with you?" Mercer asks.
01[19:33] <Seira> "Passing on the word and letting me run a background check on anyone eager to get their hands on shiny celestial armor," Seira elaborates. "From my understanding, they are restricted use gear even on the higher planes, so if some unscrupulous group got any into their hands, I can only see that lead to badness for all involved."
[19:34] <Kotono> "If you think I can copy this entirely, you're wrong. I can't copy the magic involved. I might be able to find a new process or two out of it, but I'm not a wizard. Making magic from nothing isn't possible."
01[19:35] <Seira> "I see. In that case, I don't believe that to be a problem," Seira asserts, though she glances at Agathaiel out of the corner of her eye for confirmation just the same.
[19:36] <Kotono> Agathaiel nods faintly in return.
[19:36] <Kotono> "Then leave what you're going to leave and come back in three days," he bids.
01[19:38] <Seira> "I can leave the armor here," Seira offers, "and go collect another possible item, perhaps indeed of a holy origin. That way, you could familiarize yourself with it, and tomorrow I will arrive with the remaining would-be components. Is that acceptable?"
[19:40] <Kotono> "Fine." Mercer says. OOC: Seira, what all are you going to give him, by the way?
01[19:40] <Seira> OOC: The armor for now.
01[19:41] <Seira> OOC: I'd like to TP over to Malmuth and have a chat with Saul, in case he has a good idea. He's a mage, a cleric and he studied the happy healing orb, so he should be quite knowledgeable.
[19:49] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. If you're using normal TPs roll 'em.
01[19:51] <Seira> "Amaryl," Seira says once they leave Mercer's abode, wanting to confirm something before they teleport onwards. "You know me by now, don't you? Saying something halfway and then letting it be just makes me more and more curious."
[19:52] <Kotono> Amaryl sighs, "I know. I spoke before I controlled my tongue. I had the idea to offer up the Sun Blade intot he armor."
01[19:54] <Seira> "It's certainly holy enough, and should work just fine," Seira agrees. "But it is also a physical sign of approval we went through hell to receive. Even before usefulness comes in as a factor, I would be hesitant to see you give that up."
[19:57] <Kotono> "Yeah, I thought it would be betraying what we went through." Amaryl agrees, "That's why it's foolish."
06[19:59] * Seira shakes her head. "While the idea isn't workable, as is, how is it foolish to suggest it, when it might inspire others?" She draws the sword Pallanth had graced her with, admiring its beautiful blade. "There are certainly other swords that hold a lot of significance, which was what Mercer was talking about, yet wouldn't constitute any betrayal if used."
[20:00] <Kotono> "Oh, Flash of Heaven! Even the name fits!" Amaryl's cheeks light up with a blush, "Surely that would bring good fortune?"
01[20:02] <Seira> "Quite," Seira agrees, sheathing the blade. "Now, let's go see Dad and ask him for his opinion? I quite value it, even if it doesn't look like it at times."
[20:04] <Kotono> "Let's!" With that, Amaryl takes Seira's hands! OOC: Go ahead and do the TPing thaang.
01[20:04] <Seira> roll 1d100 ring
06[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 ring and gets 12." [1d100=12]
[20:08] <Kotono> You find Saul within one of the restored buildings. A light crust of snow is on the ground, the wind chill. But inside it's warm, Saul sitting in front of a fireplace and drinking hot tea. "Your timing is better than it usually is. I just finished today's magic."
01[20:09] <Seira> "That was a criticism, wasn't it?" Seira asks Amaryl, frowning. "He sees his loving daughter, and the first thing out of his mouth is this." She shakes her head sadly.
[20:10] <Kotono> "Well, Waukeen is perfect. The rest of us..." With a little wavering of his hand ,"We should try to improve ourselves to be better like Waukeen."
[20:10] <Kotono> Amaryl crackls a smile to Seira, "I think, ah, I'll just sit down and have some tea, too."
01[20:11] <Seira> "Fine, fine." Seira plops to the ground by her father. "I figure you would've said something if there were any problems, so the situation here is same old, same old?"
[20:13] <Kotono> "We're doing the best we all can." Saul gestures to other soft seats by the fire, "Queen Tant's running herself raw trying to keep Malmuth running and repair the capital so thousands more don't die of exposure."
[20:13] <Kotono> Agathaiel remainds standing, behind Amaryl's chair.
01[20:14] <Seira> "If you are in need of more supplies, we can certainly manage that," Seira voices. "I'll also be around in the near future, and help how I can."
[20:15] <Kotono> "The Baronies are sending what they can. We need wood - so much wood. Wood for fires, wood temporary cabins, wood for splints..." Saul grunts, "The Faran Preserve is being gutted for wood."
06[20:16] * Seira considers. "What about Pallanth? They can send aid as well, if they were so inclined. Luckily enough, the network of the working portals allows for that."
[20:18] <Kotono> "I've sent word through there," Saul agrees, "They're helping, but we have an entire displaced, mammoth city. Without those circles, it would be far worse than it is."
01[20:20] <Seira> "I suppose," Seira agrees. "So," she then continues, leaning her back against Saul's seat, "would you like to hear what we're running about for this time, Dad?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Money?" Tapping his chin, "You do go through money faster than a princess in a jewelry store, but...no, probably not. My blessing for Amaryl...no, you didn't wait on that. Spiritual advice as a cler...okay, that's a fantasy." Saul chuckles, "You want me to cast magic for you?"
01[20:23] <Seira> "Spiritual advice is fine," Seira responds. "And do you really want me to react to the second one, oh absentee father of the decade?"
[20:24] <Kotono> Amaryl blushes very much now.
[20:24] <Kotono> "We all make mistakes." Saul waves his hand, "At least Amaryl can't get you pregnant without magic I'd rather not consider. But since this does seem to be unusual, go on. What do you want, Seira?"
01[20:25] <Seira> "I hate you," she mutters, before putting on a smile. "About that shard of positive energy. Do we need it for further studying, or can we use it for a greater good?"
[20:25] <Kotono> Amaryl coughs very much, droplets of tea splattering about.
[20:26] <Kotono> "The one preserving Irenes' sanctuary?"
[20:26] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[20:26] <Kotono> "The one preserving Irenes' sanctuary?" Saul considers, "I've studied it as much as I'm going to, I think."
01[20:28] <Seira> "Yes. I realize that without it, the sanctuary may well rot unless we manage to fix the wound in the world," Seira responds. "Some of it, leftover from the war. Other parts, no doubt due to the Neverborn and its lich followers fouling up the region with their filth. Be it as it may, however, would it be of use here? If we brought it over to the refugee camp of Malmuth, it might serve to heal and nuture."
[20:29] <Kotono> "It couldn't hurt," Saul reasons, "If you're okay with losing that foothold in the Wastes, I have no objection."
01[20:30] <Seira> "I considered the benefits of using it in the reforging of celestial armor we managed to track down for Amaryl, so my primary concern was that we have managed to get from it all we could," Seira admits. "I still think it might work out nicely, but even for such a worthy cause, I'm not about to deprive a city of needy people of a chance of better existence."
[20:31] <Kotono> "As I said, it couldn't hurt. I'd want it to be protected - I can take care of that. Well meaning accidents might happen, and who knows the attention it'll draw?" Saul steeples his fingers together. OOC: Seira, make a CL check on see invis.
01[20:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+18
06[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 and gets 36." [1d20=18]
01[20:37] <Seira> Porceline. Invisibility. That's all Seira needs to know as she springs to her feet with a cry of "Ambush!", magic focusing at her fingertips!
01[20:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 Lagann uses nerveskitter
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 Lagann uses nerveskitter and gets 13." [1d20=2]
[20:38] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 27." [1d20=13]
03[20:39] * Kotono changes topic to 'Assassin(27)>Seira(13)'
[20:40] <Kotono> The assassin's face does not show any emotion as she silently gildes over the ground, running as if on air! Her iceaxe lashes out at Seira as she runs past the rest of the surprised group!
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+30
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+30 and gets 32." [1d20=2]
[20:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 43." [1d20=18]
[20:40] <Kotono> OOC: Flatfootd aC?
01[20:41] <Seira> OOC: Like 22
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d6+17+6d6 and fort
[20:41] <Kotono> roll 1d6+17+6d6 and fort
06[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+17+6d6 and fort and gets 47." [1d6=4][6d6=5, 4, 4, 6, 2, 5]
06[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+17+6d6 and fort and gets 37." [1d6=4][6d6=3, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3]
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC: DR applies if you have stoneskin up.
01[20:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+19 alas, no
06[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 alas, no and gets 31." [1d20=12]
01[20:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+19
06[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 32." [1d20=13]
[20:44] <Kotono> Seira is mauled twice by the axe, rips into her side and chest! The assassin springs back 15 feet in a smooth leap, bouncing off the ceiling and landing in a crouch! Seira feels her flesh start to stiffen at the wound, the edges of it turning to alabaster...but fading afte ra few moments! OOC: Seira goes then init.
06[20:46] * Seira calls upon stoneskin's protection, calling out to Saul, "Dad, do you have Glitterdust in reserve?"
[20:47] <Kotono> "I do!" Saul calls back in a breath! OOC: Saul has his spells as in the topic, which includes one glitterdust. All the earth/wish/repair ones are used up for the day.
01[20:49] <Seira> As the situation seems dire before it even had a chance to properly develop, Seira retaliates with a powerful orb spell that should bypass any defenses this fiend would have, while images spring up all around her!
01[20:49] <Seira> roll 1d4+5
06[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+5 and gets 8." [1d4=3]
01[20:49] <Seira> roll 1d20+18 impromptu SA, empowered/maximized orb of cold
06[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 impromptu SA, empowered/maximized orb of cold and gets 33." [1d20=15]
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
01[20:50] <Seira> OOC: Evil or not?
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: No evil.
01[20:51] <Seira> roll 90+5d6 fort 26 or blinded, I'll use soothsaying on another orb next round
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 90+5d6 fort 26 or blinded, I'll use soothsaying on another orb next round and gets 110." [5d6=3, 4, 1, 6, 6]
01[20:52] <Seira> roll 110+45
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 110+45 and gets 155."
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 fort
06[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 fort and gets 31." [1d20=14]
[20:53] <Kotono> The freezing sphere strikes the assassin right in the chest! Waves of ice spread ove rher body, a blizzard's wrath knocking her back! OOC: Init. Roll for Amaryl and Saul, Seira?
01[20:54] <Seira> OOC: Agatha is sitting this one out?
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Which orb, Seira, by the way.
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Agathaiel, but I'll roll her.
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
06[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
03[20:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Assassin(27)>Agathaiel(24)>Seira(13)'
01[20:54] <Seira> OOC: Oh. I have an empowered orb of cold (which I used maximize on here), and a normal orb. I'll use the normal next round, given the chance, and benefit from the metamagic.
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
01[20:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+8 A
06[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 A and gets 16." [1d20=8]
01[20:55] <Seira> roll 1d20 L
06[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 L and gets 19." [1d20=19]
01[20:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 S
06[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 S and gets 8." [1d20=7]
03[20:55] * Kotono changes topic to 'Assassin(27)>Agathaiel(24)>Lagann(19)>Amaryl(16)>Seira(13)>Saul(8)'
[20:57] <Kotono> "What's happening," Amaryl sputters, dropping her teacup! As it explodes out in a burst of broken pottery, the assassin clutches it's frozen chest! She leaps into the air, splitting into two fading images! Just like that, she's gone! OOC: Free act.
06[20:58] * Seira gapes, unable to believe it. "The audacity..." she murmurs, using this chance to treat her wounds, in case the assassin returns.
01[20:58] <Seira> roll 3d8+15
06[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d8+15 and gets 32." [3d8=7, 3, 7]
[20:59] <Kotono> "What happened?!" Amaryl repeats, leaping out of her chair and drawing a handful of arrows and her bow in one movement!
[21:00] <Kotono> "Assassin." Saul barks out words to glitterdust, filling the room...but nothing is revealed. He goes over to Seira, calling on energies to restore her!
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 3d8+15
06[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 28." [3d8=8, 4, 1]
01[21:00] <Seira> "I... a woman of porceline." Seira gestures to two deep wounds torn out of her body. "Same look and approach as the molydeuses, so I struck, given how she was sneaking up on us, invisible and with a drawn weapon."
[21:04] <Kotono> "An assassin from the Dark Six?" With a deep gasp, "I didn't hear a thing!"
01[21:05] <Seira> "It was luck and paranoia that allowed me to catch her, really, and I was still too late to do more than sound the alarm before she struck," Seira says regretfully.
[21:07] <Kotono> Saul intones again, washing away the last wounds. "He snuck in without us noticing. If ont for that..."
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 3d8+15
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 31." [3d8=5, 8, 3]
01[21:08] <Seira> "Did you see that creepy alabastor festering near the wounds, just before it faded?" Seira asks, dismissing her images but still jumpy. "You think it was a creepy Abyssal disease or poison? They are beyond horrifying!"
[21:13] <Kotono> "The answer is what will our reply be?" Agathaiel reports, "We were assaulted."
01[21:14] <Seira> "Do I need some special healing? Really, what Antenora got was so terrible I couldn't think straight!"
[21:15] <Kotono> "Just in case, come here," Saul gestures, "I'll cast a Heal on you."
01[21:16] <Seira> "Right away!"
[21:17] <Kotono> Saul prays to Waukeen, Seira receiving restorative energies! She feels well enough now, her wounds completely gone from the previous healing magic.
06[21:17] * Seira sighs in relief, just before a shudder goes through her body. "Thanks. Now I can worry about the terrible things targetting us without worrying over turning into an abomination."
01[21:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+26
06[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+26 and gets 37." [1d20=11]
[21:20] <Kotono> "Scry it?" Amaryl answers, "And return the favor?"
01[21:21] <Seira> "That is possible," Seira agrees. "This thing teleported rather than shifting to another plane, which suggests a base of operations exists here, somewhere. We should try doing this tomorrow."
[21:22] <Kotono> "But before that, if you're not going to immediately act, did you have anything else to ask me," Saul presses.
01[21:24] <Seira> "Ah, yes." At this, Seira's professional demeanor returns, as if by magic. "I was thinking of using the aforementioned shard in the reforging of the armor, as I've said. Since we believe there is a better use for it at the moment, I'm thinking of other symbolic, powerful and divine objects that might fit together well, here. Your amulet is one candidate, the sword from Pallanth another. What else?"
[21:30] <Kotono> "Well." Saul goes back to sitting, picking up his teacup he put aside. "Colonel Seira, hero of the second Malmuthian order, member of the Order of the White Horizon, she who fought back the horror beyond reality...what holy artifacts do you have handy?"
01[21:32] <Seira> "Of a specifically holy nature?" Seira considers. "My sword, if it qualifies, and the coin Waukeen bestowed upon me. I would be loath in parting with my only physical link to her, and we can't sacrifice one of the keys to Daa-vid's prison."
[21:34] <Kotono> "
[21:34] <Kotono> "Don't you have keepsakes, like the featers of a solar, or the bottled love of a tulani? By Waukeen, Seira, did I forget how to have you take proper souvineers?" Saul shakes his head, "Truly, I have found my failing with you."
01[21:35] <Seira> "Dad, it's so creepy to just go around and pluck the feathers of angels only to hoard them for use in future arcane rituals."
[21:37] <Kotono> "That's why Waukeen granted you the charm and face of an angel," Saul smirks a little bit, "Hmm. If you do want angel feathers..." Saul looks to Agathaiel. "Especially if you happen to be molting."
[21:37] <Kotono> Agathaiel smiles now, a slightly tense one. "I do not molt. If you desire one of my feathers, you need but ask."
06[21:38] * Seira shakes her head in amusement. This does brings to mind the ritual having to do with the gate to the plane of Water, and how she's gathered all of the components for it but the sword scrapings, so Seira uses the chance to consider auspicious combinations for reigniting the flames of justice in celestial armors.
[21:43] <Kotono> OOC: K:A.
01[21:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+25
06[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+25 and gets 33." [1d20=8]
01[21:47] <Seira> "Alright. That certainly gives me a good idea of what to go for. What about restraint? I would appreciate advice on that. The only reason I'm not considering the aforementioned shard is because it has other uses still. But what of using the sword and the amulet?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "Seira." Saul looks to her, "The sword is your choice. For the amulet? Hell." Scratching at his chin again, "You've made it your own. If you think that's what needs to be done, well, don' be wrong."
01[21:57] <Seira> "I meant more... I don't know." Seira shrugs. "Mercer mentioned that we should avoid things clashing with one another, and I just want to make sure all the nice magical and holy items can play nicely with one another."
[22:01] <Kotono> "I'd choose one strong item then than trying to mix several and avoid the problem," Saul says after some thought.
01[22:03] <Seira> "Thanks, that does help me realize something," Seira responds. "Alright, I think we have a working plan. Let's rest the night here and then see about trying to scry on our assassin? And Dad, do you think you could use your Dragon Ally spell to summon a golden dragon in service of Waukeen? If we could barter for one of his or her scales, that might well serve to compliment our efforts with the armor."
[22:07] <Kotono> "If you like, though you're paying for it," Saul answers back, "If you're okay with that, fine."
01[22:08] <Seira> "For such a task, it shouldn't be more than a thousand gold, especially if you have the magic of regeneration on hand."
06[22:09] * Seira shrugs. "If we explain the situation, ask nicely for the dragon's blessing and offer full reimbursment for the trouble, it should be fine."
[22:10] <Kotono> "Then so be it." OOC: You're going to rest the night, restore spell sand start anew in the morning? Goa head and switch up spells in topic, tell me when you're good.
01[22:11] <Seira> OOC: Done
01[22:12] <Seira> OOC: Minor edit! Done for real.
[22:22] <Kotono> OOC: Which do you want to do first the next morning
[22:22] <Kotono> ?
01[22:22] <Seira> OOC: First, a scrying!
[22:24] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and declare which scrying and all that.
01[22:24] <Seira> OOC: Right. Does Malmuth at present or Saul have the means for me to scry from?
[22:29] <Kotono> OOC: Saul doesn't have scrying gear handy, and Malmuth is in ruins, so no.
06[22:30] * Seira will attempt to teleport to Balmuria to try her scrying from there, and also use the chance to touch base on several matters with others of the Guard. She can always return to talk more with her father later that morning.
01[22:30] <Seira> roll 1d100 home!
06[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 home! and gets 63." [1d100=63]
01[22:31] <Seira> OOC: I'll use the soothsaying boost on greater scrying, if possible

[Corwin]

[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> <Seira> OOC: First, a scrying!
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> > OOC: Go ahead and declare which scrying and all that.
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> <Seira> OOC: Right. Does Malmuth at present or Saul have the means for me to scry from?
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> > OOC: Saul doesn't have scrying gear handy, and Malmuth is in ruins, so no.
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> * Seira will attempt to teleport to Balmuria to try her scrying from there, and also use the chance to touch base on several matters with others of the Guard. She can always return to talk more with her father later that morning.
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> <Seira> roll 1d100 home!
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 home! and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> <Seira> OOC: I'll use the soothsaying boost on greater scrying, if possible
01[19:55] <Seira> OOC: The soothsaying boost is actually impossible to use out of combat, which this is
[19:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Scrying on the assassin? Caster level check.
01[19:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+18
06[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31." [1d20=13]
[20:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira calls on all her magic...but the scrying fails.
[20:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Waiting on your reaction/what you do next/whatever, really. Ball's in your court. I fyou were waiting o me.
01[20:08] <Seira> "Well, that's that," Seira says to herself good-naturedly, deciding to prepare better the following day. For the time being, she decides to pay a visit to Alicia's residence.
[20:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia's house is quiet. The door is ajar, however, the smell of food inside. You can hear laughing, light and carefree.
06[20:12] * Seira contemplates sneaking inside for all of a second before laughing at the thought and knocking on the doorframe as she calls out, "Anyone home?"
[20:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Come in!" A happy voice calls, Dawnhope's laughter carrying with it. "Oh Seira, is that you?"
01[20:14] <Seira> "No!" Seira responds brightly, stepping inside at the invitation, even as she seems slightly dubious. "Who's home right now?"
[20:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Hugo is eating cookies, Dawnhope fluttering ove ra metal pan of them. "It's just us two right now!" she carols, "Hi! Jessica was here but she just vanished...but change is good! Oh, Alicia and the others aren't with you? They're still traveling the Planes?"
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Hugo smiles widely at Seira, "Seira!" he calls and waves.
06[20:18] * Seira waves back, returning the smile. "I was hoping to catch Alicia, Jessica or Marie, actually. Would I have better luck if I returned later today?"
[20:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I'm not sure. Jessica's hopping between Dweomerheart and here a lot. Marie's with her, and I don't know about Alicia." Floating over to Seira's shoulder and perching there, "Oh! Donald works at your inn, doesn't he?"
01[20:19] <Seira> "That bum? Sure. You need him to do some demeaning task for the greater good?" Seira's eyes practically light up at the possibility.
[20:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh no." With a grousing, "I had abet with him and he won." Dawnhope flies off, coming back with a few coins, grunting as she wobbles in the air. "Here, give those to him for me? But...does he need to do something good? Has he sinned and needs to atone, hm?"
06[20:21] * Seira shrugs, even as she wilts ever so slightly. "Probably. We both know the same Donald, right? What was the bet about?"
[20:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "On who could find a dragonscale first!" Pouting, "I was going to check his room for one since I just knew he had one, but would you believe he had it in his pocket?"
06[20:24] * Seira briefly worries that Donald nicked one of the scales she keeps as trophies, but dismisses the thought, shaking her head. "Well, your loss. You had to have realized your chances of getting your hands on one were nonexistent, so it was a bad bet to make."
[20:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yeah, yeah." Grumping, "Oh well, it was fun! Here!" Dropping the coins into Seira's hand, "Oh, Jessica wants to see you when she can. She wants to give you something for Roald."
01[20:27] <Seira> "She would be in luck, given I want to see her as well," Seira responds. "If she gets in touch with Donald back at my home, he'll know how to find me, alright?"
[20:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Okay!" With a little smile, "You won't even reconginze her!"
01[20:30] <Seira> "Just as long as she hasn't taken to wearing porcelain," Seira responds, smiling herself, and follows her sudden, strong urge to pat Hugo's head.
[20:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Hugo smiles at Seira, taking her hand. "Hi!" he repeats, "Want?" He holds up a cookie to Seira.
01[20:33] <Seira> "I could go for a cookie," Seira agrees, accepting it. To Dawnhope, she says, "I'm afraid I can't really stay, or the possibility exists horrible things will happen. If Alicia should happen to touch base with you, warn her about invisible pale-faced assassins with flying axes? I'll try to deliver a message, myself, but there's only so much a vague, twenty-five word warning can do."
[20:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Will do!" Dawnhope says, as Hugo goes to Seira. He looks into her eyes, "Careful."
01[20:35] <Seira> "I'm very strong," Seira insists, and after a quick hug to Hugo and wave to Dawnhope she decides to seek out Demedais and Pollyanna.
[20:37] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Seira walks, she finds Pollyanna at the temple of Helm. "Seira," she smiles faintly, rising from her prayers. "Demedais is with Commander Oberuth right now."
01[20:39] <Seira> "I won't interrupt, if it is important, as long as you can pass on both a warning and a request from me," Seira responds, looking around for a quiet booth or out of the way corner to occupy.
[20:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> You go to an out of the way corner, Pollyanna smile growing. "We've been going between here and Malmuth. I've heard what's going on from the Commander."
01[20:42] <Seira> "I'll start with the warning, then, to get it out of the way. Some weird porceline-skinned assassin approached me invisible in Malmuth. She had some sort of flying axe that returned to her, and tried to infect me with each strike. Luckily, whatever it attempted to do, it failed at. It was pure luck that allowed me to even catch her, and she brazenly walked into a very well-guarded room to strike at me."
[20:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army>  "Helm!" With a softly curse of divinity, "I'll have Demedais prepare invisibility purge magics."
01[20:45] <Seira> "When I tried to scry for her, the Greater Scrying spell was repelled without much fanfare," Seira adds, "and she was able to teleport away after a brief exchange. I suggest not holding back, and preparing most thoroughly.
01[20:45] <Seira> Of course, I cannot state for certain I was the target, but an assassin so focused wouldn't seek to silence me if she were after my father or anyone else in that room. She would just strike and teleport away, I believe, so take this as my intuition, drawn from a subjective interpretation of the facts."
[20:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "We'll be as carefula s we can then," Pollyanna insists, "What's the request?"
01[20:49] <Seira> "Amaryl and I have been looking for a suitable armor for her, the better to protect her from the ongoing threats, and we finally chanced upon a celestial armor Waukeen has let cross our path. It is worn down with battle and time, however, and requires reforging.
01[20:49] <Seira> I intend to use a powerful magical item as a catalyst, there, but I would also appreciate a keepsake from Demedais, for its many symbolic values. I am trying to ask Alicia as well, of course, and will provide one as well. It would... well, it would make me happy if he helped out with this, even if the request embarrassed him."

[Corwin]

[19:12] <Kotono> >  "Helm!" With a softly curse of divinity, "I'll have Demedais prepare invisibility purge magics."
[19:12] <Kotono> <Seira> "When I tried to scry for her, the Greater Scrying spell was repelled without much fanfare," Seira adds, "and she was able to teleport away after a brief exchange. I suggest not holding back, and preparing most thoroughly.
[19:12] <Kotono> <Seira> Of course, I cannot state for certain I was the target, but an assassin so focused wouldn't seek to silence me if she were after my father or anyone else in that room. She would just strike and teleport away, I believe, so take this as my intuition, drawn from a subjective interpretation of the facts."
[19:12] <Kotono> > "We'll be as carefula s we can then," Pollyanna insists, "What's the request?"
[19:12] <Kotono> <Seira> "Amaryl and I have been looking for a suitable armor for her, the better to protect her from the ongoing threats, and we finally chanced upon a celestial armor Waukeen has let cross our path. It is worn down with battle and time, however, and requires reforging.
[19:12] <Kotono> <Seira> I intend to use a powerful magical item as a catalyst, there, but I would also appreciate a keepsake from Demedais, for its many symbolic values. I am trying to ask Alicia as well, of course, and will provide one as well. It would... well, it would make me happy if he helped out with this, even if the request embarrassed him."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm." Biting her lip as she thinks, Pollyanna looks with half lidded eyes at Seira. "Okay, I have an idea, but let me talk to Demedais and see what he thinks. I'll stop by the inn in a few hours?"
01[19:15] <Seira> "Thanks, it's all I ask!"
[19:15] <Kotono> Bowing her head and murmuring a word of prayer, "Helm watch over you, Seira, and keep you from evil."
01[19:18] <Seira> "If anyone's watching, it would be Helm, wouldn't it?" Seira asks with a smile, waving to Pollyanna. There's some time for errands, and she decides to return home for the time being, and coordinate with Amaryl in person.
[19:22] <Kotono> Amaryl's find at Seira's inn. The insides are buzzing with people getting food and drink, pleasant smells throughout. Masculine bardsong fills the air, Donald sitting with Amaryl. The two are sharing a bowlful of cut up apples and fruits. "They're fresh," Amaryl says in a chiding voice, "They're much better."
[19:22] <Kotono> "They're also not greasy, meaty or able to make me drunk," With a look of disdain, "Just fruit for lunch? Really?"
01[19:24] <Seira> There is an easy joke here, but Seira heroically resists making it. "Depends on the fruit, doesn't it?" she brazenly barges into the conversation.
[19:25] <Kotono> "Donald...oh, Seira!" Amaryl's face lights up, "I was just telling Donald how he needs to eat more fruit, nuts and vegetables. You're a fey-elf, not some burly human or dwarf."
[19:26] <Kotono> Grumbling under the general buzz of conversation flying all about, "I'd rather have a hunk of beef, some bread and a good ale."
01[19:26] <Seira> Donald was a pretty fruity human to begin with, too. Seira shrugs. "Not a nuts fan, myself, but I support the rest?"
[19:27] <Kotono> "Of course you aren't," Donald mutters under his breath, then exhales heavily. "I can take on ten barbazu without breaking a sweat. I say I'm doing things right, like eating." Standing up then, "I think I'm going to go get in some practice with the Guard."
01[19:28] <Seira> "But what happens if a dozen jumps you?" Seira asks him innocently.
06[19:29] * Seira snaps her fingers, then, and golden coins appear floating above them, as if by magic. And it really is, as aside from a little sleight of hand, Lagann is helping her float Donald's won bet from Dawnhope. "Before I forget, here."
[19:30] <Kotono> Donald gives a big, long blink. "Oh, sure." He scoops up the coins, "What for? Did I buy you something and forgot?"
01[19:32] <Seira> "Something about a bet? Good job tricking a little kid out of her hard-earned money." Seira gives him an exaggerated thumbs up.
[19:33] <Kotono> "Oh, that!" Snapping his fingers, "Well, she bet I couldn't come up with a bet that I could beat her at." Donald grins, "Didn't work out so well for her! Besides," Whistling now, "I'm sure Waukeen improves of me enriching myself?"
[19:34] <Kotono> Amaryl looks between the two and puts a hand to her face. It doesn't stifle the giggles that come.
06[19:34] * Seira nods firmly. "You are a true paragon of Waukeen's teachings. Lathander must be so proud!"
[19:35] <Kotono> "He is." Stretching now, "I think I'll go track down and beat up a few demons and devils to chase this down." Donald turns and walks out, leaving the inn.
06[19:36] * Seira waves at Donald as he goes, grinning. "I missed this," she admits to Amaryl quietly.
[19:38] <Kotono> "It's so earthy." Amaryl nibbles at a cut apple slice, "Running about the cosmos, feeling everything we've felt? It's overwhelming. I have dreams of vivid paradise and nightmarish horrors. Every time I'm happy, I yearn to go to Elysium, for I know I would be even happier there. When I feel fear, it dims in comparison to the Abyss and the terror that gripped so hard there. These feelings...these feelings here are nothing to those, but that'
[19:38] <Kotono> These feelings...these feelings here are nothing to those, but that's why they're so good. I can understand them."
01[19:41] <Seira> "The Abyss is... terrifying, yes," Seira admits. "Ever since the first time I was trapped there. It's not the certain, horrible death or the torture to come before it, but the sheer... unnaturalness. You know, you were there." She shudders.
01[19:41] <Seira> "I wonder why it is that I can understand the nightmares, but Elysium or Celestia just don't mean the same to me they should to sane people. I'm happy enough there, but there's still something missing...."
[19:45] <Kotono> "Everything is wrong in the Abyss. No...Wrong. Wrong. Capital w." Amaryl puts down her fruit, going to slide close to Seira. "I don't know, Seira. Are things different for dragons like that?"
01[19:48] <Seira> "Maybe it's that strange deck I played with that has a hand there, but really, I think it must be my ego, my obsession with exploring and building... any combination of those." Seira shrugs. "I suppose it might change one day. But rather than a topic that makes me uncomfortable, how about turning the tables on you?" She turns to observe Amaryl, taking her hand under the table.
01[19:48] <Seira> "Sorry about Dad, yesterday. He babbles in his crazy old person way, sometimes. I don't remember raising him to be like that."
[19:50] <Kotono> Amaryl smiles a tthat, "He's very caustic. The two of you have a relationship that Sir Ambrose would call 'hateful lovers'."
01[19:52] <Seira> "I will pretend this never crossed Sir Ambrose's mind," Seira says quietly, blanching.
03[19:53] * Cidward (~Melanchth@pool-96-231-68-153.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #evildunes
[19:53] <Kotono> "....SEIRA!" Amaryl eeps, "I didn't mean it like that! Oh Waukeen, not like that!" Amaryl holds her hands up, wobbling back in her chair and nearly falling out! "I mean...I mean...not like that!"
06[19:55] * Seira focuses on catching Amaryl and steadying her chair. It's better than continuing that particular thread of thought.
[19:56] <Kotono> Amaryl wobbles back and forth, Seira preventing her from falling out! "I mean just...just...Seira! How could you think that!? It's wrong, dirty, perverted and a crime against nature! It's just an expression!"
01[19:57] <Seira> "I blame you!"
[19:59] <Kotono> "It's not my fault! Your mind is still tained from the Abyss!" Amaryl whispers back, "That has to be it!"
03[19:59] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-514d755e.l2.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
03[19:59] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Ebiris
01[20:00] <Seira> "Let's just agree to blame Dad?" Seira offers hopefully as compromise.
[20:02] <Kotono> "O...okay." After a few moments of that, "L-let's just eat lunch and relax for a little while then?"
03[20:03] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:07] <Seira> "We can do that, or I could ask you if you want kids," Seira muses. "I didn't really think about it until Dad brought it up. But this keeps on occupying my mind, now, and that is probably because I don't know if you ever wanted... and this is where I pause before I babble."
[20:08] <Kotono> Amaryl turns red as a efreet, but as she speaks, Seira finds her words drowning out in a rush!
01[20:10] <Seira> Caught by surprise, Seira can only stare owlishly, no doubt making a fool of herself.
[20:11] <Kotono> Amaryl's blush grows even hotter as she whispers something, lost as the rush fades. "...it would be strange, since who would bear the child and who would use the magic, Seira?!"
01[20:13] <Seira> Oh Waukeen, smite me now. "I, uhh, my mind blanked out. I, umm, swear it's true. Can you repeat all that?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "S-Seira...!" Amaryl turns redder, "Oh. My. Goddess! Are you...is this...like sex talk to you?!" She says in a mortified whisper, "Oh. My! Let alone out here?!"
01[20:17] <Seira> Even Seira can feel and display embarrassment, and this is indeed one of those moments. "I honestly don't remember your answer. I just remember asking if you ever wanted to, you know, or had dreams of ever having kids. And the rest is just blank until now." Her shoulders sag slightly. "You know I joke about things, but I wouldn't do something like that to you!"
[20:19] <Kotono> "Uh...uh...let's just...uh...let's just go talk in private!" Amaryl rises, scurrying away and back to their private rooms as fast as her well trained legs can take her. She whizzes past a serving girl, blowing past a man entering. Commander Oberuth blinks as Amaryl runs by her, watching her go before he scans. He sees Seira, approaching to her.
01[20:20] <Seira> "Is this life or death, Sir?" Seira asks, standing up abruptly and moving to follow her. "Because I'm in a crisis!"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Go ahead. I mainly came for a drink." Commander Oberuth steps aside Seira.
01[20:23] <Seira> "Please stay! Whatever you want, it's on the house!" Seira hurriedly says, almost without stammering, and rushes after Amaryl.
[20:25] <Kotono> Seira finds Amaryl back in their bedroom, the slender elf girl sitting on their bed. She's looking at Seira as she hurries in.
06[20:30] * Seira visibly steadies herself. "Alright. I can explain this. I can." She felt happy, glorious and warm, literally overwhelmed with love as the rest of her senses blacked out. Even she wouldn't believe it was entirely innocent and unrelated, however, so that part will never see the light of day. "We all know thanks to Dad's lack of tact that magic can manage anything and everything.
01[20:30] <Seira> I was just wondering if you ever... I don't know, had dreams about children. And the reason I asked wasn't to proposition you, but because I realized that I haven't really thought about this at all before, but I'm hardly normal." She pauses, frowning. "I can't explain why I just blanked out there, though, but it's not what you thought! Just take my word for it? Please?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "Okay. I will!" Amaryl nods back and forth, blushing hotly as she plays with her fingers. "Is it...I mean...nevermind!" Amaryl shakes her head back and forth. "I want children...perhaps one in a century, then perhaps fifty to eighty years before having another."
01[20:36] <Seira> "Maybe Waukeen was playing a prank on me? Or Lathander, since I was teasing Donald earlier? Helm sometimes does it, so others might, too...." Seira trails off. "One in a century, huh?"
[20:38] <Kotono> "I know. It's a bit fast...only a century per child, but...I like children," Amaryl admits with a growing blush.
01[20:39] <Seira> "I think that so do I," Seira muses slowly. "But I never really thought about having my own. Is that weird?"
[20:46] <Kotono> "Most women do think of them." Amaryl murmurs.
06[20:49] * Seira sighs, taking a seat by Amaryl. "It's probably another sign I need to relax more rather than run from place to place, chore to chore all the time. Maybe I'll be able to have some normal dreams, then."
[20:51] <Kotono> Amaryl curls into Seira, "When this is all over, let's do that. Just that and forget aobut everything else."
01[20:53] <Seira> "I'd like that," Seira says, relaxing.
Session Close: Mon Nov 30 20:59:12 2009

Session Start: Mon Nov 30 20:59:12 2009
Session Ident: #evildunes
02[20:59] * Disconnected
02[21:00] * Attempting to rejoin channel #evildunes
03[21:00] * Rejoined channel #evildunes
03[21:00] * Topic is 'Assassin(27)>Agathaiel(24)>Lagann(19)>Amaryl(16)>Seira(13)>Saul(8)'
03[21:00] * Set by Kotono on Sat Nov 28 21:02:54
03[21:00] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Yomi
02[21:01] * Seira (~corwin@bzq-79-182-74-4.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[21:01] * Yomi is now known as Seira
[21:08] <Kotono> After a little time of relaxation, there's a knock on Seira's door. "Seira?" Donald calls.
01[21:09] <Seira> "Yes?" Seira asks, extricating herself and answering the door in person.
[21:11] <Kotono> Donald's there, "You have a couple of guests here," he jerks a thumb backards, "Alicia's sister and the Commander. Are you going to come out or should I tell them you'll be awhile?"
01[21:12] <Seira> "Can you please ask them to meet us in the reading room?" Seira requests. "We'll be right there."
[21:15] <Kotono> Donald goes and does just that. Amaryl smooths her clothes out, standing up. "Do you want to go right away now?"
01[21:16] <Seira> Prestidigitation makes them more than presentable, and Seira smiles at Amaryl. "We shouldn't keep our guests waiting."
[21:21] <Kotono> Thus you head to your reading room. Amid the bookshelves Commander Oberuth stands. He doesn't really fit in - too big, armored, like a warrior in a laboratory. Everything seems too small for him. Jessica sits demurely in a seat, a book in her lap. White wings wrap around her, kindness and a smile radiant on her face.
01[21:23] <Seira> "Might not recognize her, indeed," Seira murmurs, nodding at Alicia's sister with a smile before coming closer and offering the Commander her hand.
[21:30] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth takes it, his grip harder than steel and his cheeks red. "Colonel," he nods solemnly, "Jessica is here on her own business, go ahead and deal with her first. We'll talk after that."
[21:31] <Kotono> "Seira," Jessica comes over to Seira, book under one arm. "Mystra has chosen to bestow Her blessings on me, so that the glory of magic and good can spread farther."
01[21:32] <Seira> "She chose well, then," Seira says, glancing at the book.
[21:35] <Kotono> It's a book on elementary magic. It's good light reading for Seira, for those days where she wants mental junk food. "Thank you. Roald has been taken to Dweomerheart as well, so that we may be together. He is grateful for your offer of support in Valandia, though it's not needed in Dweomerheart." Jessica goes back to her chair, ruffling in a sack. She comes out with a wrapped loaf of bread. "Roald baked this with help from Mystra's servant
[21:35] <Kotono> She comes out with a wrapped loaf of bread. "Roald baked this with help from Mystra's servants. A thank you gift...eat it not when you are hungry, but as fortification before a great battle."
01[21:36] <Seira> "It will keep until then?" Seira asks with an amused twist of her lips, accepting the gift.
[21:37] <Kotono> "It will." Jessica looks into Seira's eyes, "Our fates did not intertwine how they were expected to, but we are grateful. When our marriage happens, we hope to see you there."
01[21:38] <Seira> "We'll be happy to attend," Seira responds for herself and Amaryl, inclining her head.
[21:40] <Kotono> Amaryl grins, "Lovely! When will it be?"
[21:41] <Kotono> "We were going to wait until spring, but in Dweomerheart the seasons matter little. When things have calmed down, we will have our wedding." Jessica answers brightly.
01[21:42] <Seira> "A lot of dreams are pending on our success, then," Seira notes.
[21:43] <Kotono> "Yes. I must be going," Jessica nods slightly, "There's so much I have to do to prepare."
01[21:45] <Seira> "Oh!" Seira exclaims. "There was a request I wanted to make of you or Marie, since Alicia is away on business. Did Dawnhope pass that on?"
[21:48] <Kotono> "Oh yes." Jessica's face alights with red, "My mind is newly opened to all of Mystra's wisdom. My every lax moment is spent in contemplation of magic. It's easy to neglect other matters for that."
06[21:51] * Seira details the situation with the armor once more, finishing with, "And so I'm hoping to have a symbolic gift from my friends in the Guard to remake it better than before."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Mmm." Jessica considers, "A symbolic item would be simple enough. A bit of jewelery, an article of clothing, a lock of hair, that manner of thing?"
01[21:54] <Seira> "Using a lock of hair here is kind of creepy, and jewelry is both needlessly expensive and not personal enough. Clothing seems to be the right idea, though."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Hmmm. What sort? A shirt? A skirt?" Jessica asks, "Alicia uses magic to repair damage to her clothes so she has few throw-aways, but there are a couple."
01[21:59] <Seira> "Whatever symbolizes her the most, yet she can part with?" Seira says vaguely.
[22:00] <Kotono> "Hmmm. Old armor?" Jessica frowns then, "She usually wears her armor."
01[22:01] <Seira> "Marie might have a clue?" Seira suggests. "I heard she was helping you move around, so she probably won't be too far, right? Whatever I might say, I feel like I'm presuming too much."
[22:02] <Kotono> "I'll talk to her and see what she thinks," Jessica says, "One of us will com eback tonight."
06[22:02] * Seira smiles. "Thank you again for considering my request."
[22:19] <Kotono> Thus Jessica leaves. Commander Oberuth goes to sit them, overfilling a delicate elven chair. His blonde hair and red face fill Seira's vision as he waits. "At ease." He begins, "I fended off an assassination attempt today."
06[22:20] * Seira listens patiently, even as she chides herself with not reporting to him at once after the attempt on her own life."
[22:26] <Kotono> "Elle's magic alerted us - some sort of owman with an axe, we were able to fend her off with help from the Guard before anything too untold happen. Fortunate for us." Oberuth goes on, "Was it a member of the Dark Six or a servant that you know of?"
03[22:27] * Cidward is now known as Sierra_MeltingBrain
01[22:27] <Seira> "She attacked me last night in Malmuth, while we were visiting my father," Seira responds with a wince. "Porcelain skin, flying axe, invisible and teleports away when counter-attacked?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "The axe fits," A nod, "We didn't get a good look at her before she fled."
01[22:31] <Seira> "I was too lax in properly alerting everyone to the threat," Seira admits, more to herself than for anyone else's sake. "My arrogance in considering myself the only likely target for assassination from those liches was clearly unfounded. I apologize, Sir."
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yes. I understand that communication is difficult when you're traveling the planes, but...no harm done." Oberuth continues from there, "When will you and Alicia be back in Balmuria together?"
01[22:35] <Seira> "I don't intend to leave this plane until Alicia's return, so it really depends on her. I could try to use a Sending to communicate with her, if you would like, Sir?"
[22:38] <Kotono> "Do so," Oberuth says shortly.
01[22:39] <Seira> "It would take about half an hour under the circumtances," Seira warns him, fetching her spellbook. "Aside from a warning about the attack and the question about her schedule, should there be anything else?"
[22:39] <Kotono> "For now that's fine," Oberuth says, "I'll wait."
06[22:42] * Seira can't help glancing at Amaryl as she tries to clear her mind. If it were her armor, she would naturally ask the Commander to contribute something as well, even with his dislike of magic's potential to disrupt the binding. For Amaryl, though.... 'Is there anyone else you would like to ask for a symbolic contribution?' she thinks to her. Amaryl has a mentor figure of her own, after all.
[22:43] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth is quiet during this, as Amaryl looks back to SEira. 'I'm fine. I think that's enough - he said not to add too much, too.'
01[22:48] <Seira> Once she is done, Seira casts the magic and takes great care to pronounce the following, letting the tone of her voice deliver the message that everything on the home front is fine. "Commander and myself attacked by invisible assassin on two occasions. Attempting to scry back, everything under control. Do you know when you will be back?"

[Corwin]

[20:18] <Kotono> <Seira> "It would take about half an hour under the circumtances," Seira warns him, fetching her spellbook. "Aside from a warning about the attack and the question about her schedule, should there be anything else?"
[20:18] <Kotono> > "For now that's fine," Oberuth says, "I'll wait."
[20:18] <Kotono> * Seira can't help glancing at Amaryl as she tries to clear her mind. If it were her armor, she would naturally ask the Commander to contribute something as well, even with his dislike of magic's potential to disrupt the binding. For Amaryl, though.... 'Is there anyone else you would like to ask for a symbolic contribution?' she thinks to her. Amaryl has a mentor figure of her own, after all.
[20:18] <Kotono> > Commander Oberuth is quiet during this, as Amaryl looks back to SEira. 'I'm fine. I think that's enough - he said not to add too much, too.'
[20:18] <Kotono> <Seira> Once she is done, Seira casts the magic and takes great care to pronounce the following, letting the tone of her voice deliver the message that everything on the home front is fine. "Commander and myself attacked by invisible assassin on two occasions. Attempting to scry back, everything under control. Do you know when you will be back?"
03[20:27] * Yomi is now known as Seira
01[20:32] <Seira> "She says it would be soon," Seira responds, taking in the missive. "Apparently, Alicia was attacked as well, but things turned for the better. She also mentioned gaining an ally."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Good. We'll wait on her then," Oberuth nods, "No sense in repeating myself."
06[20:37] * Seira is dubious that Alicia meant soon in the sense of right this instant, but humors the Commander and resolves to give it a few minutes.
[20:43] <Kotono> In the mean time, "Do you remember one of your first missions, Seira? I sent the Guard off to deal with some goblins who were attacking outlying farms."
01[20:43] <Seira> "I gained my funniest nemesis from that one," Seira reflects, smiling.
[20:44] <Kotono> "It's like that." Oberuth looks down at his hand, balled into a fist. "But it's on such a larger scale. Not just a day's horseback ride away, or a few weeks of travel. But far more, in this world and others."
01[20:46] <Seira> "What's like that?" Seira asks in confusion, not making the connection at first.
[20:48] <Kotono> "I'm thinking. We're not just Lord Salman's mailed fist. We're more than that, far more." Commander Oberuth shakes his head then, "I'm rambling. It's something I've been thinking over."
01[20:49] <Seira> "The prelude to an empire of our own?"
[20:50] <Kotono> "Empires are for fools." Oberuth doesn't look up, "When you cut the head off, the body dies. Not quite..." Oberuth is interrupted, a knocking on the door. "Seira, Antenora and Alicia are here," Donald calls.
01[20:51] <Seira> "Call it a Union, then," Seira suggests. "Only of full states, rather than Baronies." At Donald's prompting, she raises her voice, calling out, "Come in, come in!"